Wayne Rooney reveals reason for career change after 'not being given a chance'

Daily Mirror

a day ago

Wayne Rooney has spoken about his reason for swapping management for punditry after appearing on Match of the Day at the start of the Premier League season
Wayne Rooney has explained his reason for venturing into punditry after attempting to forge a managerial career. The Manchester United legend has agreed a deal with the BBC and appeared on Match of the Day as the new Premier League season got underway at the weekend.
‌
Rooney initially moved into coaching after hanging up his boots. He earned plaudits for his work at Derby County, with the club battling financial issues, before moving stateside to join his former club DC United.
‌
However, his controversial appointment at Birmingham City in October 2023, replacing the popular John Eustace, ended with two wins in 15 league games. An undeterred Rooney started last season as Plymouth Argyle manager but was sacked in December, and the 39-year-old has revealed what convinced him to focus more on punditry work.
‌
Reflecting on his most recent managerial role, Rooney told BBC Sport: "Plymouth, I think we were doing OK for what we had and the the decision was made. After that, I thought I don't know why I keep putting myself in these positions. Then looked into doing punditry, done bits of work in that and enjoyed it. I just felt the time was right to go into it, so here I am."
Rooney explained that he had initially been drawn to management and defended his coaching record. "Certainly, with management first, it was something that I always wanted to go into," he said. "I saw it as a challenge, I think I'm someone who likes to be challenged as well and to take them head on.
"But I also understand that there's a chance that it might go wrong as well. I don't mind taking that risk and that challenge, where I know some former players might not do that and might wait for the perfect opportunity.
"The Derby County one, I was playing there and Phillip Cocu got sacked and we went into administration. It was a really tough start to management but I felt we done a really good job there. At DC United, when I went out there, I thought we done a good job, even though it doesn't get portrayed that way.
"DC United had finished bottom the three seasons before I went and we got to within a point of the play-offs." The MLS franchise had finished last the season before Rooney's arrival, though not for three straight years. His team ended up 12th in the Eastern Conference, three points shy of the play-offs.
‌
However, when speaking about his ill-fated spell as Blues boss, Rooney felt the fans never gave him a fair chance due to the circumstances around his appointment. "The Birmingham one was... everything was wrong about that, to be honest," he admitted.
"The timing of it. I think the fans didn't really give me an opportunity. We lost games, so I don't think anything was right about that. It felt right at the time but looking back, nothing was."
Following his agreement with the BBC, Rooney, who recently hit back at criticism from Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady, will feature as a pundit on Match of the Day throughout the campaign. The former England captain appeared on the legendary programme at the weekend and will also front The Wayne Rooney Show podcast.
‌
Discussing what supporters can anticipate from his punditry, Rooney explained: "I think I'm quite fair and honest. I think that's the only way to be really. I always think, I say this if you're a player, a manager and now a pundit, I think the same values are in all three of them: the fans aren't stupid.
"If you expect me to sit there and sugarcoat things which I can see, other pundits can see and the fans can see, I don't think I should be doing it. Some people try and go over the top as well.
"All I can do is try and be fair with what I'm seeing from a team point of view, a manager's point of view, an individual player's point of view, and try and give my honest opinion on that. I'm sure some players and managers might get annoyed with that, but I think you have to be honest with that and tell the truth."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.