Wayne Rooney in line for management return after Championship offer
Wayne Rooney could be set for a return to management after being approached for an interview with Championship side Plymouth.
Rooney, 38, has been working as a pundit for Sky Sports and ITV over the past couple of months since leaving Birmingham City back in January. He spent 83 days in charge of the West Midlands club after replacing John Eustace last October, winning just two of his 15 matches at the helm.
Before that, Rooney had managed Derby and DC United having retired from professional football in January 2021. But now, according to The Telegraph, Rooney could be in line for his next managerial role and is a firm candidate to take charge of Plymouth Argyle, who stayed up in the Championship on the final day of the season.
Argyle retained their second-tier status at the expense of Rooney's former club Birmingham after they beat Hull 1-0 at Home Park. Plymouth are still searching for a new manager, however, after the sacking of Ian Foster and director of football Ian Dewsnip has helped drive the pursuit of Rooney.
Dewsnip managed Rooney when the former England international was in the academy at Everton and the duo are understood to have maintained a close relationship. Plymouth have since approached Rooney, who is believed to be keen for a return to the dugout, for an interview.
Rooney has been announced as a pundit with BBC for Euro 2024 this summer, but has always maintained he would like a return to management. Speaking in February, he said: "I definitely want to get back into management. It was a setback what happened at Birmingham but I’m a fighter and I want to get back into it.
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Wayne Rooney endured a difficult spell at Birmingham
"You know as a manager [being sacked] is part of the job and you will have setbacks. It’s about how you bounce back. I've had some good time to reflect and will make sure I get it right next time."
Rooney took his Birmingham side to Plymouth last December as they played out an entertaining 3-3 draw. However, Blues threw away a two-goal lead at one point during the match to pick up just a point, denying him just his third win in charge at the time.
He managed just three more matches - including a drab goalless draw at home to Bristol City - before being dismissed following a New Year's Day thumping at Leeds. During his managerial career, Rooney has took charge of 153 games but has amassed a win rate of just 26.1 per cent.
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