Rooney ‘expected’ to manage Championship club after ‘approach’ despite Birmingham disaster

Wayne Rooney has been ‘approached’ by a Championship club to return to management ahead of next season, according to reports.

The 38-year-old’s managerial career got off to a promising start as he did a decent job in difficult circumstances at Derby County as they endured financial turmoil as they battled to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Rooney He also had a spell in MLS with former club DC United before being approached by then-Birmingham City in October 2023 to replace John Eustace.

This appointment came as Birminghamthe new American owners were keen to make a statement and did so by acquiring Rooney. But no change needed to be made as Eustace had the club in the play-off places after doing well to save a limited squad from relegation the previous season.

Birmingham’s decision to part with Eustace and appoint Rooney quickly backfired as they fell down the table.

The Man Utd legend was sacked at the start of January after winning just two of his 15 games in charge and Birmingham failed to halt their downward spiral as they were relegated to League One on the final day of the Championship.

Is Rooney coming back?

Rooney felt he should have been given the January transfer window to get some of his signings through the door and said in February that he wanted to eventually return to management.

He said: “I definitely want to get back into management. It was a setback what happened in Birmingham, but I’m a fighter and I want to get back into it.

“You know as a manager (being fired) is part of the job and you’re going to have setbacks. It’s about how it comes back. I’ve had time to reflect and I’ll make sure I get it right next time.”

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Rooney has turned to the pundit in recent months, but could soon be back in the dugout.

According to a report from telegraphRooney “is in line for a potential return to management” after being “approached” by Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

Former Plymouth boss Ian Foster was sacked with a few games remaining but they beat Hull City on the final day to secure Championship survival.

“Rooney, the former England and Manchester United captain, is understood to have been approached for an interview this week and is a candidate for the management.

“Sacked by Birmingham in January after a run of nine defeats in 15 games, Rooney wants to return to the technical area to rebuild his reputation as a manager.

“Argyle are looking for a new manager following the sacking of Ian Foster towards the end of the season and if, as expected, Rooney is appointed, he will have a meeting with Neil Dewsnip, the club’s director of football.

“Rooney was at Everton’s academy as a boy when Dewsnip was in charge, when he also coached the likes of Ross Barkley, Leon Osman and former Argyle manager Steven Schumacher.

“The pursuit of Rooney has been led mainly by Argyle chief executive Andrew Parkinson”.

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