Rooney returns as D.C. United’s new boss

The England Icon is going to MLS for his next coaching spell.

Wayne Rooney

had played for

back in 2018 and 2019 before making a move for Derby County.

The ex-

star has played for Derby before he became a coach, keeping the club in the Championship closely notwithstanding their financial problems presenting a somehow impossible challenge.

“Wayne is a soccer legend and one of the most exciting and dynamic up-and-coming managers in our sport. He’s already proven in his young coaching career that he knows how to lead a group through adversity,”

said Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan Co-Chairmen of D.C. United.

“He has an understanding of our league and what it takes to be successful in Major League Soccer thanks to his two-year stay with us as a player. The passion he showed while wearing Black-and-Red electrified our city and our club and we are so excited to welcome him back as our Head Coach.”

After a spell at Everton, Rooney went to D.C. in 2018 and was given the captain’s armband after only three games.

He was able to net 25 goals in 58 games before going to Derby as a player-coach. Following a rough beginning at the 2020-21 season and with Derby sitting at the bottom of the table, Phillip Cocu was sacked and Rooney was appointed as a part of an interim coach staff.

He then become the permanent boss in January 2021, helping them avoid relegation then.

Rooney, however, decided to step down in June as he insisted that he would only remain put if the financial situation is met with by the new owners.

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