Wayne Rooney Reflects on Coaching Aspirations and Media Success

Wayne Rooney, now 40 years old, has not held a coaching position since his dismissal from Home Park on New Year’s Eve in 2024. In the interim, the former England captain has established himself in the media, frequently appearing as a pundit and hosting a successful podcast. Nevertheless, the desire to return to coaching persists, although the current job market poses challenges.

During a guest appearance on The Smith Bros’ YouTube channel, Rooney addressed speculation regarding his future. While he refrained from officially announcing his retirement from management, he indicated that the demanding lifestyle of a modern coach is becoming less appealing.

“I would, I definitely would if the right thing came up,” he responded when asked about a potential return. “But I wouldn’t put myself in situations like when I lived in DC, Plymouth, and Birmingham, missing many of my kids’ football matches.”

He elaborated, saying, “For any opportunity to be right, it would need to be realistic as well. Given my past four jobs, I doubt such a position will arise, complicating a comeback further.”

Rooney’s self-reflection underscores an understanding of how his reputation has been impacted by consecutive setbacks in the Championship. His managerial career began with promise at Derby County, where he garnered praise for his leadership during times of financial strife. However, his tenure at DC United ended by mutual consent, and his return to English football proved challenging.

His brief stint at Birmingham City was marked by disaster, lasting only 83 days and witnessing the team’s descent from playoff contenders to relegation strugglers. A subsequent position at Plymouth Argyle, intended as a fresh start, ended after just five months as the club battled to avoid relegation.

Rooney pointed out several challenges that impeded his success in these roles, especially the financial constraints he faced at Plymouth and the intense media scrutiny of his every move. Unlike other managers who may fail quietly in lower leagues, every defeat became a national topic of discussion for Rooney, amplifying a pressure that few novices encounter.

Currently, the urgency to return to management appears to have subsided. Since leaving Devon, Rooney has successfully carved out a lucrative and stable career in broadcasting. He is a familiar face on Match of the Day and Sky Sports, where he provides analysis rooted in his extensive playing experience.

In August 2025, he launched “The Wayne Rooney Show,” a media endeavor that has kept him engaged and visible without the unpredictability of matchday outcomes. This lifestyle change has enabled him to reconnect with family, attending events he previously missed while working in the Midlands and the United States.

“At the minute, I’m happy just doing the TV work,” he confirmed, suggesting that any club interested in bringing him back would need to offer not just geographical convenience but also a compelling project to entice him away from his comfortable media career.

The conversation also touched on other potential career paths, particularly longstanding rumors linking him to boxing. A lifelong fan of the sport, he has been suggested as a potential participant in exhibition matches, with influencer Jake Paul frequently mentioned as a possible opponent.

However, the likelihood of transitioning from football to boxing seems to be waning. “I think I’ve missed the boat on that one,” he admitted, tempering the enthusiasm of fight fans who recall the viral video of him sparring with Phil Bardsley in his kitchen in 2015.

Still, Rooney maintains his competitive spirit. “Do you know what? I’d never say never with it,” he remarked, leaving the possibility ajar. “It depends on what offer’s on the table.”

While a boxing debut may remain a distant prospect, it appears that the immediate future for the United icon will remain in the television studio rather than the dugout, as he awaits an ideal opportunity that he himself doubts will materialize.