Wayne Rooney has admitted that managing Manchester United or Everton, the only clubs he represented in England’s top flight, is his managerial dream.
Rooney is currently the manager of MLS side DC United but his stocks have risen following his stellar job at Derby County. The 37-year-old oversaw their relegation to League One but under difficult circumstances following heavy sanctions on the club.
Derby were dealt a 21-point deduction at the start of the 2021/22 season as well as a transfer embargo but still missed out on safety by just seven points.
Rooney emerged as a leading candidate to take over at Everton halfway through last season but the legendary forward rejected the opportunity due to his obligations at Derby.
Speaking now, following the end of the MLS season, he has spoken about the possibility of taking charge at Old Trafford in the future.
“Obviously, Everton and Manchester United are the two clubs who are really close to my heart so to manage one of the two would be a dream,” Rooney told CNN.
“I’m still gaining a lot of experience from what I’m doing. You want to learn, and I want to go into Everton or Manchester United, I want to go in there and be able to give the best version of me.
“I’d be naive to say ‘I’m going to go and manage Manchester United in the next year or so’. For me, it’s about putting the work in and developing myself and if I do that and I do it in the right way, then I feel these jobs, these opportunities will come to me eventually.”
SN’s verdict…
Rooney has already proven that he has a promising future in management and it always felt like he was the type of player who would enjoy the opportunity to go into coaching.
At 37, he has plenty of time to gain enough experience and success to eventually take over at United. From a supporter’s viewpoint, it would be a romantic turnaround after his abrupt exit in 2017.
