Wayne Rooney has been told he would be ‘absolutely brilliant’ in a coaching role at Manchester United just days after he left Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
It was announced on New Year’s Eve that ex-England striker Rooney had left Plymouth by mutual agreement.
Rooney, 38, won just four of his 23 league games in charge of the Pilgrims and left with Plymouth sitting bottom of the Championship.
Former Manchester United captain Rooney spent a similarly disappointing spell in charge of Birmingham City before his stint at Plymouth.
At the start of his coaching career, Rooney managed Derby County as well as MLS side DC United.
Rooney entered the world of football management after a sensational playing career that saw him win five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He is still Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer and also held the record for England before Harry Kane surpassed his tally in 2023.
Rooney is unlikely to secure an immediate return to management and has already been offered the chance to return to TV screens in a punditry role.
But his former United team-mate Wes Brown believes he would be ‘absolutely brilliant’ back at Old Trafford in a coaching role.
‘If Wayne wanted to spend time as a striking coach he would be absolutely brilliant at it,’ Brown told The Sports Daily.
‘He was one of the best goalscorers we’ve ever seen and was a top playmaker as well.
‘If he wanted to do that he would be very good on movement and things like that, he was one of the best to do it.
‘Could he help Rasmus Hojlund at Manchester United? I think all young strikers would love to listen to Wayne and his knowledge.
‘When I was a young player I remember getting a few tips from Laurent Blanc and the little things like that can really help.
‘If Wayne was on hand to give out some advice [at United] I’m sure everyone would be willing to listen.’
Assessing Rooney’s spell in charge of Plymouth, seven-time Premier League winner and former England defender Brown said: ‘I thought in some of the close games I saw they were unlucky but this is a results business and they couldn’t find enough wins.
‘The owners have decided to go in a new direction but Wayne is the sort of guy to keep his head up and wait to see if another opportunity arises.
‘He’ll be ready to take a new challenge again in no time but of course he’ll be really disappointed as he was so determined to do well there.
‘It’s not quite gone to plan but we will have to wait and see, that’s football.
‘Wayne is a good guy and it’s nice to see that they came to an agreement there. It definitely helps Plymouth going forward and he would’ve known that.
‘He wanted to do well but it didn’t work out but he is a good human and would hate to put them under any strain in that sense.’
Rooney, meanwhile, said Plymouth would ‘always hold a special place in my heart’ after his departure from Home Park.
‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board of Plymouth Argyle Football Club,’ the football legend said.
‘Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as head coach and I wish them all the best for the future.
‘To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever.
‘I would also like to give a special mention to my coaching staff Kevin Nancekivell, Simon Ireland, Darryl Flahavan and Mike Phelan for their knowledge, dedication, help and support.
‘Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to look out for and take interest in their results.’
Rooney’s former club Manchester United endured a miserable first-half to the 2024-25 campaign, slipping into the bottom-half of the Premier League under former manager Erik ten Hag and the Dutchman’s replacement Ruben Amorim.
But the Red Devils showed promising signs on Sunday as they held Premier League leaders and arch-rivals Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
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