FORMER Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has been appointed the manager of Plymouth Argyle, the second-tier English Championship club confirmed today.
Rooney, 38, replaces Ian Foster, who was sacked in April after just three months in charge as Plymouth barely escaped relegation, finishing 21st in the 24-team table.
“Throughout the interview process, Wayne showed himself to be a passionate, intelligent, and knowledgeable candidate with an appetite to prove himself and develop his managerial career,” Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett said in an official statement.
“So much so that he reached out to the board when we started this process and was attracted by the project at hand and showed a real plan on how to lead the football club forward.”
Rooney had a short spell as Birmingham City in his last job and has previously managed Derby County and Major League Soccer side DC United in the United States of America.
“Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the chairman and board for the faith they have shown in me,” Rooney said.
Rooney was sacked as Birmingham manager in January, three months after taking the club from sixth to 20th in the Championship.
His management career is far off his achievements as a player. Rooney scored 253 goals for Manchester United, winning five English Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League with the club. He also scored 53 goals for England.
