Is Argyle's Wayne Rooney gamble worth the risk?
After a disappointing season that saw Plymouth Argyle avoid dropping down to League One by just one point, Simon Hallett wasted no time in appointing Wayne Rooney as the new boss ahead of what he hopes will be a far better 2024/25 season.
Rooney has had a mixed record as a manager. His most recent spell at Birmingham ended in his sacking after only two wins in 15 matches. But as a player, Rooney had a distinguished career for both club and country.
International Career
Wayne Rooney is the record cap holder for England. The former Everton striker won 120 caps for his nation over 16 years. He also captained England towards the end of his career, although never to a tournament win.
Later this summer, Rooney's former international teammates will try to win the 2024 European Championships, where they are the betting favourites to win at 3/1. In the latest football odds from Paddy Power, France and Germany are England's biggest rivals. Their EURO odds see France at 7/2 and Germany at 4/1.
The current England team were runners-up at Euro 2020. The closest Rooney got to Euro glory was when England made it to the last eight in 2004 and 2012.
Club Management
Wayne Rooney's first job in club management was with Derby County. His spell lasted from 2020 to 2022.
At the time he took over, the Rams were in the Championship relegation zone. A good run of results over the winter months saw Rooney take the club out of the bottom three and survival became a real possibility.
Then the team went on a poor run and were dragged back into the relegation dogfight. They eventually stayed up on the final day of the season by just one point.
The following season, Derby was hit with a 21-point deduction for going into administration, resulting in relegation to League One. Without the points deduction, Derby would have stayed up. Rooney resigned from his role in the summer with the club still in administration and the future looking uncertain.
Overall, Rooney did a good job at Derby in trying circumstances.
A Stint in the MLS
His next role would see him arrive at his former team, DC United, in the MLS. Rooney lasted just over a year, spanning two seasons.
In his time in the States, the club failed to reach the end-of-season playoffs in both seasons. Overall, Rooney's time in the MLS can be described as mixed, at best.
Back to England
Onto his ill-fated spell in charge of Birmingham City. There are simply no positives to take from Rooney's spell in charge of the Blues.
It was a total disaster. Rooney took over with the club challenging for the playoffs. When he left in January, the club were fighting relegation. Luckily for the Pilgrims, Birmingham never recovered and their struggles helped Plymouth avoid the drop from the Championship at the Midlands club's expense.
A damning failure can be the only verdict of Rooney's time at St. Andrews.
A Risk Worth Taking?
As a result, Rooney will bring this baggage to Devon with him. He will need to win over the fans quickly. Being a big name will help. But results are more important, and Simon Hallett could do with the team hitting the ground running if this experiment is to go well.
From Rooney's perspective, he has a great chance to rebuild his reputation at Home Park. The club is more stable under Hallett, and Rooney will hope to cash in on this and replicate the spirit and feel-good factor of the 2022/23 season.
If the Pilgrims get the same Wayne Rooney who took over at Derby in 2020, it could end up a gamble that pays off for all involved.
