It was somewhat surprising that Wayne Rooney was so willing to return to Washington DC. The Englishman was cherished during his time as a DC United player, with nobody ever questioning his commitment to the cause in Major League Soccer, but his wife’s gloomy thoughts on the American capital were widely publicised. It was a factor in the player leaving midway through a three-year deal. Few ever expected to see the Rooneys in DC again.
Now, though, Rooney is the new DC United head coach. He has taken over a team that is currently second bottom of the Eastern Conference with just five wins from 17 matches in 2022. The task ahead of the former Everton and Manchester United forward is a big one, but Rooney has already proven his worth as a manager in challenging circumstances.
Rooney’s first managerial job came at Derby County, who were handed a 21-point deduction for the 2021/22 season due to financial difficulties. The club was forced to sell or release a large number of their squad simply to stay afloat, giving Rooney next to no chance of keeping the Rams in the Championship.
What unfolded, however, was one of the soccer stories of the 2021/22 season in England. Derby County rallied behind Rooney who did a great deal to bring through a number of untested youngsters. Ultimately, the club still suffered relegation, but they only lost 19 of the 46 fixtures they played. Without the points deduction, Derby would have finished comfortably away from the drop zone.
This raised Rooney’s stock as a manager. His decision to leave Derby at the end of last season hinted at the 36-year-old’s desire to take the next step in his coaching career, but few would have predicted that his next job would take him back to MLS. This is an unorthodox route for a figure of Rooney’s stature.
“I’ve seen I’ve seen a few articles certainly back in England, on this as possibly a backward step in my managerial career,” Rooney said in his first press conference as DC United boss. “I really found that disrespectful to this league. And I feel the experience again at Derby County of the past 18 months has been great in my development as a coach, as a manager, and to really come here back to the MLS, back to D.C. United was a exciting challenge for me, something of which I feel can develop me as a coach, but also, the team needs to improve.”
Of course, MLS has given opportunities to big-name former players seeking a managerial opportunity in the past. Patrick Vieira was handed his first senior coaching role by New York City FC, where he caught the eye of several European clubs – Vieira ultimately took the Nice job before joining Crystal Palace.
Thierry Henry had already experienced senior level management by the time he was appointed Montreal Impact head coach in 2019, but the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward was still learning his trade as a manager when he pitched up in MLS. Phil Neville took his first managerial job in men’s soccer at Inter Miami last year. The league is earning itself a reputation for harnessing the potential of young coaches.
Nonetheless, it is unusual that Rooney, who had offers from Burnley and Everton in the Premier League last season, has taken on the DC United job at this particular time. It’s been reported his family will not be joining him in the United States, adding another layer of intrigue to Rooney’s decision to take over at Audi Field when he could have stayed in his homeland.
Rooney’s presence at DC United should help the club attract talent. Jesse Lingard has been linked with a move to Audi Field this summer while Luis Suarez is also believed to be on the MLS club’s radar after leaving Atletico Madrid as a free agent at the end of last season. DC United clearly want to use Rooney’s appointment to mark the start of a new cycle.
At Derby County, Rooney favoured a high intensity, high energy style of play. The 36-year-old isn’t exactly renowned for being a sharp tactician, but his players fight for him on the pitch. DC United’s youngsters should also expect to be given more opportunities by their new manager. Few anticipated Rooney’s return, but now that the Englishman is back he seems intent on making his mark.
