Wayne Rooney: A Football Legacy Beyond Management

Wayne Rooney has faced challenges in his managerial career, notably with dismissals from Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, yet his achievements as a player are undeniable. He secured five Premier League titles, a Champions League victory, and a plethora of other honors. The 40-year-old also earned numerous individual accolades, scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for England, and netted 313 times in 763 club appearances, earning praise from football greats throughout his career.

For instance, former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo remarked, “He was the kid of England, everyone loved him. I called him ‘Pitbull’ for his power. Rooney’s mentality and strength are remarkable, and he is a fantastic team player who consistently scores. He helped me immensely when he joined us in Manchester.”

Lionel Messi, a rival of Ronaldo, highlighted Rooney’s unique abilities on the pitch, stating, “There has always been a great deal of respect between myself and Wayne Rooney. He is, for me, the great English player of his generation. His capabilities on the field are exceptional, and he is one of the few players who could enhance any European squad.”

Thierry Henry lauded Rooney’s consistency, describing it as “extraordinary,” emphasizing, “To perform well for a season is one thing, but to maintain that level for more than a decade is exceptional. He is well-regarded in Spain and France as a top player.”

In an enlightening discussion among football pundits Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright, and Roy Keane, Rooney shared insights into his lucrative contract negotiations during his time at Manchester United. In 2014, at age 28, he signed a five-year deal with reported wages of approximately £300,000 per week, leading to an annual income of £17 million ($22 million). His peers were astonished by these figures, with Neville humorously noting his regret at not having an agent during his own contract negotiations, where he earned a basic salary that increased from £1.75 million to £2.25 million.

Rooney stated, “Money was never my focus. I aimed to finish my career at United by age 35 or 36, which I believed would secure my future. When offered a seven-year contract for less money, I preferred it to a four-year deal for a higher amount, as I always thought cautiously.”

Carragher revealed that his biggest contract was around £3 million, while Keane mentioned his peak earnings were approximately £5 million. Rooney concluded his playing career in the 2020/21 season with Championship side Derby County before transitioning to the role of manager.

Although many young football fans may have missed witnessing Rooney in his prime, the accolades and testimonials from former teammates and coaches reflect his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport. Former England and United teammate Rio Ferdinand reminisced about first seeing Rooney at 16, urging his parents to ensure he signed with Manchester United, stating, “What a player. He scored an astonishing number of goals, delivered spectacular shots from anywhere on the pitch, and displayed great passing, aggression, passion, and work rate.”

David Moyes, Rooney’s former manager, recalled a remarkable training moment, saying, “One day, Wayne chipped a goalkeeper from near the byline during a small-sided game. We all exchanged glances, astonished, and realized we were witnessing a truly special talent.”

Currently, Rooney has paused his managerial pursuits to return to punditry, hosting a podcast with the BBC and appearing on Match of the Day, among other engagements. However, he may still harbor aspirations of returning to management in the future.