Rangers legend Ally McCoist has admitted that he was “really longing” for Wayne Rooney to do well at Plymouth Argyle before the former Manchester United star was sacked.
Wayne Rooney suffered the latest setback in his management career towards the end of 2024, with the Manchester United legend making his exit from the Pilgrims.
The 39-year-old former United and England striker was appointed head coach of Plymouth Argyle last May and oversaw a disastrous campaign with the club.
Rooney only managed four league wins and suffered 13 defeats in 23 Championship matches with Plymouth during the 2024-25 campaign.
The United legend saw two low points in his managerial career in 2024, including his exit from Plymouth and his sacking from Birmingham City.
Rooney left his head coach role with MLS club DC United in 2023 and returned to England with Birmingham City, with the ex-Plymouth boss enduring an ill-fated spell.
The former United captain’s spell with Birmingham City lasted only 83 days and he oversaw nine defeats in his 15-match run at the club before he was dismissed.
McCoist on Man Utd legend Rooney
Wayne Rooney has been on the sideline since his management spell with Plymouth Argyle came to an end, but the England legend has been linked with a role in punditry.
The England legend has also been reunited with former Manchester United teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane on The Overlap’s Stick to Football show.
Speaking to Goal, Ally McCoist insisted that there is a “slight difference” between the managerial highs and lows of Rooney and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Steven Gerrard enjoyed success in his first managerial spell with Rangers, including leading the Scottish side to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021.
However, the 44-year-old former England and Liverpool midfielder went on to have a disastrous spell with Aston Villa before he was sacked by the club in 2022.
Gerrard was most recently managing Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq and the ex-Aston Villa and Rangers boss left his role last month.
“Absolutely. Steven will know that,” McCoist said.
“I was really longing for Wayne Rooney to do well down at Plymouth. I wanted him to do well, I really did.
“I think the slight difference is that Steven has had a bit of success. Yes, he’s had a couple of disappointments after that success, but Steven has certainly proved that he can manage at that level and win things – which is vitally important.
“I think that is the slight difference in any comparisons between the two. However, the next job is vital.”
Rooney on management return
Rooney has claimed that he will make his return to management when the “right club” emerges and that he has been putting himself in a “really challenging situation.”
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast last month, he said: “I would like to go back in [to management]. But it would have to be the right club.
“I’m not in a massive rush to go back in. There’s different things that I’m looking at to try and get involved with… unless something was absolutely the right thing to do.
“Every club I’ve been at, I’ve put myself in a really challenging situation. I’ve had some great experiences, good ones, bad ones [and] you’ve always got that to fall back on.
“Sometimes you have got different ideas which you’re trying to put across to the players, and maybe there’s a bit of arrogance where you’re thinking, ‘This is the right way.’ Having better players helps.
“I’d have no problem dropping into an Under-21 team or going in as a coach… I’m still young enough to learn and develop. Just having a good group of players who were at a [good] level.”
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