Wayne Rooney is in line for a new job with his shock return to management at Championship club Plymouth

Wayne Rooney is in line for a return to management with Plymouth Argyle, talkSPORT understands.

The Manchester United and England legend was sacked as manager at Birmingham in January but now looks set for a shock return in the second leg.

Rooney is said to have held talks with the club, who narrowly avoided relegation back to League One this season.

He is now in serious competition to take over as manager.

Former Everton academy boss turned Plymouth director of football Neil Dewnsip is believed to be the driving force behind interest in Rooney.

The Pilgrims have been without a permanent manager since the departure of Ian Foster in April.

Foster left his position as Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq assistant to join the club in January but managed just one win in 12 games before being sacked.

Plymouth lost long-term boss Steven Schumacher to Stoke – who led them to win League One in the 2022/23 season – in December.

That means Rooney could be the club’s fourth manager and third permanent boss in less than a year.

Ironically, Plymouth helped relegate Rooney’s most recent employers, Birmingham, this season.

Plymouth, Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday condemned Birmingham to their fate with victories on the final day.

The Blues had been in the play-offs under current Blackburn boss John Eustace when Rooney took over last October.

But with one point from the first five games, his team has fallen to 18th in the table.

When he left, Birmingham were 20th in the league. He only won twice during his time in charge.

If appointed by Plymouth, it will be Rooney’s fourth managerial job after spells with Derby, DC United and Birmingham.