Wayne Rooney’s career takes another major twist with Man Utd legend landing new role after Plymouth Argyle sacking

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Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney is set to take up a new role only months after his ill-fated spell with Plymouth Argyle came to an end.

Wayne Rooney returned to management in 2024 after he was appointed Plymouth Argyle head coach last May and oversaw a disastrous run with the Pilgrims.

The 39-year-old former Manchester United striker only managed four league wins and suffered 13 defeats in 23 Championship matches with Plymouth.

Rooney’s tenure with the Championship side came to an end last December after he left Home Park by mutual agreement.

The ex-United and England captain had previously seen another low point in his managerial career in 2024 during his time with Birmingham City.

Rooney was appointed Birmingham City manager in 2023 after he returned back to England following his spell with MLS outfit DC United in the United States.

The United legend’s spell lasted only 83 days and Rooney oversaw nine defeats during his 15-match run at Birmingham City before he was sacked by the club.

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Rooney’s new football role confirmed

Wayne Rooney has been waiting on the sidelines for his next opportunity in management after his latest setback at Plymouth Argyle.

The ex-Manchester United star has since appeared on The Overlap’s Stick to Football show and Rooney has been linked with one major role in punditry in recent weeks.

Amazon has now confirmed that Rooney will be returning to punditry and will be part of the line-up for their Champions League coverage.

Rooney will be making his “Prime debut” for the Champions League clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad.

The kick-off for the first-leg Champions League knockout round play-off will be at 8pm UK time, with the return leg to be played on 19th February in Madrid.

Amazon wrote on Instagram: “The England & Man Utd legend will make his Prime debut on Man City v Real Madrid, LIVE on Tuesday from 6.30pm!”

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Rooney on management and future

Rooney revealed on the Stick to Football podcast that he is not in a “massive rush” to return to management and is waiting for the “right club” to emerge.

“I would like to go back in [to management]. But it would have to be the right club,” he said last month.

“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.”