New Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney has revealed that a desire to prove himself as a manager
was behind him turning down work as a pundit to take his role, joking that he didn’t “want to become
the next Gary Neville”.
Rooney was appointed by the appointed by the Sky Bet Championship club in May having lasted just
three months in charge at Birmingham last season.
The former Manchester United and England striker has since worked in television, featuring on the BBC
during the broadcaster’s coverage of Euro 2024.
A number of former colleagues for club and country have abandoned fledgling managerial careers to
become prominent pundits, including Sky stalwart and ITV regular Neville.
But Rooney insists coaching is his real passion as he takes charge of a side that finished just one point
above the relegation zone last season. took command of a team that placed just one point above the
relegation zone in the previous campaign.
During his first press conference after joining Plymouth, Rooney remarked, “I don’t want to become the
next Gary Neville.” “I have always had a yearning, a passion, and an affection for football.
For me, the past few months have been really peculiar. Being at home has been an extremely odd
experience since January. I’ve worked on TV shows occasionally, but my true goal is to return to
managing.
After just 83 days on the job, the 38-year-old was fired by the Blues in January after overseeing nine
losses in 15 games.
When Rooney’s injury occurred, Birmingham had been sixth in the Championship. appointment, but
they were demoted at the end of the campaign.
The former striker for Everton and Manchester United, who has also managed at Derby and DC United,
plans to move on from that experience.
Rooney clarified, “You always have to prove yourself.” “I believe that’s what I had for twenty years as a
player, and in my experience as a coach, you have to show yourself in any position you hold. That is
typical and a result of the pressure that comes with the work.
Naturally, you leave yourself open when you take a job. There are undoubtedly repercussions if you don’t
produce results, as was the case in Birmingham.
I am, however, here and prepared. I’m thrilled. I thought a great deal about what had transpired at
Birmingham. Things do not always happen for a purpose. The bright side is that it brought me to this
point, where I intend to succeed. That’s something I firmly believe in.
“As a self-assured individual, I trust myself to accomplish it. All I’m excited about is getting going.
Ian Foster, who was fired in April with the Pilgrims facing relegation, is replaced by Rooney.
Argyle continued to live on the last day of
the campaign, with Birmingham relegating to the third division in its place.
Rooney acknowledges that his goal of leading the team to the championship is more distant.
Naturally, I’m not going to publicly declare that we hope to win the Premier League within the next year,
he added.
“We believe that being realistic is important, and our goal is to build on the club’s progress over the
previous five years, which has seen steady improvement.”
“I believe we must continue to advance gradually and make improvements.” They undoubtedly surpass the previous season.
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