Wayne Rooney’s managerial career in 2024 was a year to forget. Having been dismissed by Birmingham City in January after a disastrous spell that saw the club drop from sixth to 20th in the Championship, he found himself in a similarly difficult position at Plymouth Argyle. After taking over at Home Park in May, Rooney’s tenure at Plymouth quickly became a tale of woe. With only four wins from 24 league matches, a staggering 53 goals conceded, and the team sitting at the bottom of the table, it was clear that his time in charge was unraveling.
Despite some initial optimism about his appointment, with Rooney himself joking that he didn’t want to become the next Gary Neville, his performance in the managerial hot seat proved far from successful. His spell at Plymouth mirrored the ill-fated managerial stint of his former England and Manchester United teammate, Neville, who had struggled during his time at Valencia. The fact that Rooney was the first and last of the 21 managers in the Championship to be dismissed in 2024 highlighted the extent of his failure.
Criticism of Rooney was widespread. He was accused of being too hands-off in his coaching approach, while also being too hands-on in his personal life, with reports suggesting that he frequented local Plymouth nightspots. His tendency to travel back north to spend time with his family also raised eyebrows, as did his inability to inspire his team to consistent performances. Despite a few notable victories, including a win over Sunderland, the overwhelming number of heavy defeats left fans frustrated and led to his eventual departure.
In addition to his poor record at Plymouth, Rooney’s previous managerial stints at Derby County and DC United had not been particularly successful either. While he undoubtedly had the ambition to succeed in management, the evidence suggested that he might not have the necessary skills or temperament for the job. His time in management had been marked by underachievement and disappointment, leading to the question of whether he was simply not cut out for the role.
Despite his setbacks, Rooney remains determined to succeed as a football manager. However, with each failed attempt, it becomes harder to see how he can recover from these repeated disappointments. For now, it seems that Rooney’s future in management is uncertain. While he may have the drive and passion to continue, his past record suggests that he may need to reassess his approach if he is to avoid a career in the managerial “Last Chance Saloon.”
As Rooney looks to the future, only time will tell whether he can turn his fortunes around. But as of now, his managerial career stands as a cautionary tale of ambition unfulfilled, and the harsh realities of football management.
