08 October 2023 , 05:45
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Wayne Rooney's managerial career has taken another twist with his departure from D.C. United after just one season in charge.
The Manchester United and England legend has left the MLS franchise after their final game of the regular season, a 2-0 win over New York City, with the team set to miss out on the playoffs. It ends Rooney's second managerial role after a turbulent spell at Derby County where he did an admirable job in the face of financial woes.
It means Rooney is now back on the market having been linked with the Birmingham City job if John Eustace departs. He's previously made his ambitions clear and admitted it is a goal to one day manage former club Manchester United or boyhood team Everton.
Shortly before leaving Derby County, Rooney was asked by Sky Sports in February 2022 if he would jump at the chance to manage United one day.
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“Of course I would,” he replied. "At the minute obviously my focus is on Derby County and staying up [in the Championship], but Manchester United and Everton are the two clubs that are very close to me.
“Hopefully one day in the future I can manage one of those two clubs. It'd be a great achievement for me.”
He has since made no secret of his ambitions to manage an elite club in the future. He claimed the D.C. United job was helping him towards that end goal when he managed the MLS All-Stars in the summer.
Rooney said: "My aspiration is to manage at an elite European club someday, and in those environments, you’re working with very diverse teams, with elite professionals from all over the world. I’ve found I could actually get that experience here, which helps me a lot.
Rooney has previously discussed his goal to one day manage Man Utd or Everton (YouTube/D.C. United)"At DC United, for example, we’ve got players from more than a dozen nations, representing different cultures, religions, and backgrounds. So there's different challenges and lessons to be gained from that, and working with the All-Stars, the very best MLS has to offer, adds to that immensely.”
Rooney has insisted he has "nothing lined up" as he leaves America and is set to be reunited with his family back in England. Speaking after his final game, Rooney explained: "It's the right time. I've done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It's not a single thing that's happened. It's about timing.
"What lies ahead, I don't know. I've seen a lot of reports in the media. I'm going back with nothing lined up.
"I want to say on record to everyone involved in the club. Staff, players: I'm grateful."