Soccer

    Wayne Rooney

    DC United manager Wayne Rooney in May

    Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene with Everton at 16. Two decades later, the striker retired having won almost every accolade on offer. He is now struggling to make his way in management.

    The player caught the world's attention with a last-minute, long-range goal against Arsenal. His strike showed control and power way beyond Rooney's years and announced him as a precocious talent.

    Rooney made his England debut at the age of 17 and lit up EURO 2004 with the Three Lions, showing outrageous skill.

    Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United came calling for Rooney, signing him for £25.6million in August 2004 - a record for a teenage player at the time.

    Rooney collected trophies by the hatful for United including the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

    With 253 goals in all competitions, Rooney is Man Utd's all-time record goalscorer, comfortably surpassing Denis Law and George Best.

    Rooney made an emotional playing return to Everton in 2017 before joining MLS side DC United, and then Derby County in controversial circumstances via a sponsorship with online casino 32Red.

    After a spell as interim Derby manager, Rooney was named permanent manager in January 2021, as he dragged the club away from the Championship relegation zone.

    The following season he was unable to keep Derby in the division, especially after a 21 point deduction due to historical financial mismanagement, and resigned in June 2022.

    In July 2022, he was appointed head coach of DC United, a club where he was named MVP and golden boot winner during his playing days.

    But he left Washington in October 2023 after their hopes of making the Major League Soccer play-offs ended.

    A week later the former England skipper replaced the sacked John Eustace at Birmingham City on a three-and-a-half year deal.

    But after overseeing just two wins in 15 games Rooney was sacked by Birmingham at the start of January 2024.

    In May 2024, Rooney signed a three-year deal to become head coach at Plymouth Argyle, but left the club at the end of year as they fell to the bottom of the Championship table.

    The Everton years

    Career at Manchester United

    The DC United love affair

    Flop at Birmingham City

    More failure at Plymouth

    International career with England

    Personal life

    Net worth

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