Wayne Rooney explains DC United choice and outlines his coaching philosophy
Wayne Rooney was the original wonderkid who became a teenage superstar.
But while his incredible playing career started at a frantic pace, he is ready to take a different approach as a manager. That explains why Rooney finds himself in the MLS, manager of DC United and the All Star team, but ready to take his time and learn valuable lessons for this part of his career.
Rooney is still only 37 but has moved to America away from his family and lives 45 minutes outside of Washington, where he is shacked up with the rest of his coaching staff.
It is a huge sacrifice but one which Rooney – a member of England’s Golden Generation – has made to ensure that he is on the path to becoming a top manager.
Rooney said: “It’s been a great experience for me. Obviously, I had the challenges at Derby County, which was a difficult one to say the least, but coming out here has just really been about gaining experience and for me to try to develop as a coach.
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“I know I am not where I want to be as a finished article but these next few years are really important in terms of me getting to grips with the role and getting the best out of myself and eventually out of the players. But it is something I am really enjoying.
Wayne Rooney is living with his coaching staff (AP)HAVE YOUR SAY! Does Wayne Rooney have what it takes to become a top manager? Comment below.
“As you said before, patience is key and understanding that you are going to lose games, that you are not going to win every game, so it's about staying calm in those situations.
“Understanding that is something which is really a strength of mine. It's fair to say I've picked two difficult jobs to start but I really believe they will help me in the future.
“When DC came in I thought it was a great opportunity to come out and develop. I came into a difficult job given where the club was at so I had to try to improve the club first of all and get them up the table.
“But it's also just seeing different challenges and different things. I've had to learn about handling languages, culture, religion and understanding all those different scenarios which could happen if you manage at the top level and which you will have to deal with.
Wayne Rooney is learning his trade with DC United (Rich von Biberstein/Getty Images)“If you'd asked me a year ago if I would play with a back five I would have said no, but I've gone to a back five quite a few times this season because of the quality of the players and it suited the squad more with the players I had.
“So, there are small things like that which it has allowed me to learn and develop tactically with different formations. It's been a great experience for me to come here and work and it will really help me moving forward.”
Rooney has transformed DC United in his first year in charge. That followed a hugely challenging spell at Derby and, despite relegation amid the club falling apart and being docked points, he left that role with huge credit and people realising he was a serious manager.
But Rooney is also learning every day from each challenge – and there is also no escape from the job.
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“I think it's a place where I'm coming to work and to learn and to develop,” said Rooney. “Of course after games you can get frustrated and you are always thinking of how the game has gone. It's the right place now for me to develop.
“I live about 45 minutes to an hour away from the city although to be honest it's quite boring. I live with my coaches and we go to work and then go home and we watch and talk about football to the point where now I'm sick of seeing them if I'm honest!
Wayne Rooney is managing MLS All Stars against Arsenal (Getty Images)“It's just constant football but it is nice to be out here in a relaxed environment and enjoying it but most importantly getting my work done.”
Rooney has done well to change a few perceptions of himself as a manager and also wants to do the same at the MLS. Lionel Messi ’s arrival at Inter Miami is a massive coup for the MLS and Rooney laughs off a few misconceptions about how football is perceived in the United States.
Rooney added: “Messi coming here has surprised a lot of people. Even now I'm still getting agents phoning me up and telling me there's a striker in League Two and he's ready now to come to the MLS and I have to tell them: ‘He's nowhere near good enough to come and play in the MLS.’
“I think that's a lack of understanding of the league maybe and there's maybe a little bit of disrespect towards the league from that point of view. There are some really quality players in this league who can play at a very high level.
“There are players who pose different challenges and some technically great players in this league. And athletically there's some really fit players in the league as well so it is a league which is improving and can get better but has got to a very good level.”
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