Sports

Why Wayne Rooney Resigned As DC United Coach

BySodiq Lawal

PublishedOctober 8, 2023

Following DC United’s failure to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs, Wayne Rooney has mutually agreed to step down as the team’s head coach.

Recall that Wayne Rooney played for the Major League Soccer club for 18 months before he joined Derby County as a player-coach in January 2020.

After struggling to survive at Derby County as a permanent coach, Rooney returned to DC United as a manager in July 2022.

Rooney was expected to help DC United to qualify for the MLS Playoffs after the club failed to do so in the last three seasons.

However, the all-time Manchester United highest goalscorer couldn’t do so even though his team beat New York City FC 2-0 in their last game on Saturday. Hence, the 37-year-old former England international had to leave the club.

“It’s the right time. I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs,” Wayne Rooney said.

“It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing.”

While DC United chief executive and co-chairman Jason Levien added, “We have spoken with Wayne and agreed we should part ways at this time.

“This decision creates the avenue for our next general manager to have the full opportunity to impart a new philosophy and structure onto our sporting operations, which begins with the critical identification of a head coach who will best align with this.

“We are grateful to Wayne Rooney for all he has done for our club and soccer in the nation’s capital, first as a DC United player and captain and most recently as our coach.”

Meanwhile, Rooney has been lined up to coach English second-tier club, Birmingham in case the club’s current coach, John Eustace leaves the club this season.

Eustace’s reputation is expanding and has begun to attract attention from bigger clubs across Europe as he led Birmingham to sixth place in the Championship after 11 games.

The 43-year-old took charge in the summer of 2022 and guided the team to a comfortable run in the EFL Championship despite the club’s financial difficulties.