Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney is in the “early stage [of] negotiations” over his next role after his exit from Plymouth Argyle, according to stunning reports.
Wayne Rooney’s run at Plymouth Argyle came to an end before the end of 2024 after an ill-fated spell with the Championship strugglers.
The 39-year-old Manchester United legend was sacked at Birmingham City last January before he returned to management with Plymouth in May 2024.
However, Rooney only managed four league wins and suffered 13 defeats in his 23 Championship matches as Plymouth manager.
The former Plymouth boss oversaw a 2-0 Championship defeat to Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium before he left the club by mutual agreement in December 2024.
Miron Muslic was appointed Plymouth manager in January after Rooney’s dismissal and the Pilgrims remain bottom of the Championship table.
Rooney’s next step after Plymouth
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has seen his management career derailed since his return to England after he left MLS outfit DC United in 2023.
The ex-Plymouth Argyle and Birmingham City manager’s future in coaching has been left unclear after his latest setback with the Pilgrims in 2024.
According to The Sun, Rooney could make his return to punditry and be a new addition to BBC’s flagship football show Match of the Day for next season.
Gary Lineker is set to leave Match of the Day at the end of the 2024-25 campaign and Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will replace him as the presenter.
The newspaper reported that Rooney is hopeful of landing a ‘rotating’ role as a pundit on the BBC show, but he ‘could command up to £200,000 for the year.’
Rooney has ‘number of options’ on table
Rooney dabbled his hand in punditry during the 2023-24 campaign, including featuring in the coverage from BBC Sport and TNT Sports.
The former United and England captain was in the BBC Sport studio for punditry during the FA Cup last season and for Euro 2024 last summer.
Rooney has also made appearances on The Overlap’s Stick to Football show alongside former United teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane.
The Sun says an unmanned source told the newspaper that a “couple of other broadcasters are interested” in landing Rooney amid the reported BBC interest.
“Punditry is one of a number of options open to Wayne for the future,” the source told the publication.
“He worked alongside Gary and co at the Euros last summer, and was a huge hit with viewers.
“He’s also eminently likeable with a forensic knowledge and love of the game.
“Match of the Day and a couple of other broadcasters are interested in having him on their programming.
“Wayne and the BBC are in early-stage negotiations but it is looking promising and he is taking some time to work out exactly what he wants to do next.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/26n5zci