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Although DC United signed off the season with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC, results elsewhere meant they were unable to make the MLS Playoffs.
In his post-match press conference, Rooney, who was linked with the Birmingham job last month, announced he had decided to step down from his role as head coach after just 15 months, with the striker keen to return to the UK and spend more time with his family.
‘I think it’s just the right time. I think I’ve done everything I can to try and get the club into the Playoffs. And it’s no single thing which has happened, it’s about timing in your career,’ explained the 37-year-old.
‘I’ve really enjoyed my time here, I’ve had a lot of help from the owners. Everyone around the club has been a great help to me.
‘But I just feel it’s the right time for me to go back to England. Firstly, obviously, to see my family, I haven’t seen them for a long time.
‘And then what lies ahead, I don’t know. Whether opportunities come up… I’ve seen a lot of reports in the media but I’m going back there with nothing lined up.
‘I’m going back there to see my family, and if something comes up in October, November then of course I’ll look at it.
‘But from my point of view I’ve enjoyed my time here. I think it’s helped me and will help me a lot moving forward as a coach. And I just want to say on record to everyone involved with the club – staff, players – I’m grateful and I wish them nothing but success in the future.’
Although Rooney has nothing lined up, he was approached by a club in England last month: ‘I said to the owners I got offered a job four weeks ago, very close to my home in England.
‘I turned that down because I wanted to push and do everything I can to make the Playoffs here.’
He added: ‘Obviously it’s my second time here, first time as a player, this time as head coach.
‘I’ve enjoyed it, ups and downs as you get, but I just feel the time is right for me to move on and then refocus myself and be ready and wait for opportunities which hopefully may come up in the future, I don’t know.
‘But I think it’s probably best for me and the club that they go and get a new head coach, and they have the time. I didn’t want this to dwell on, they need to appoint a new head coach and give him the time to bring in his players for next season.’
MORE : Wayne Rooney ‘leading contender for Birmingham job’ if it becomes available
MORE : Wayne Rooney advises Harry Maguire to leave Manchester United after captaincy axe
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