Wayne Rooney, a former player for Manchester United and England, was named the new head coach of DC United on Tuesday. His job is to turn around the struggling Major League Soccer team.
The 36-year-old British legend, who played for DC United from July 2018 to October 2019, reconnected with his former teammates after leaving to play and coach for Derby County in England. During his time with DC United, he scored 25 goals in 52 appearances.
“It was an exciting challenge for me to return to MLS, to DC United, and something that I feel can develop me as a coach, but also the team needs to improve,” Rooney said.
“I’m a person with ambition. I hope to manage at the highest level one day. This contributes to that
In the 28-team league, DC United is currently 5-10 with two draws and 17 points, sharing last place. After six games, United fired Hernan Losada as their head coach, appointing interim manager Chad Ashton in his place.
Rooney said, “I genuinely believe that with my capacity to nurture young players, we can really get this club back to successful ways again.
It will require a lot of effort, but that is what I am here to do in order to significantly better the team.
After the team was demoted to League One, the third tier of English football, Rooney resigned as Derby County’s head coach last month, making way for his return to the Major League Soccer.
Rooney stated that he had “read a few (news articles) back in England on how this might be a step backward in my managerial career.”
“I think that shows a lot of disrespect for this league.
“I feel that my growth as a coach has been greatly aided by the experience of managing Derby County over the past 18 months,” said the coach.
Rooney assisted DC United in making the playoffs in 2018 and 2019, but the team hasn’t participated since. To qualify for the postseason, DC United must replicate his turnaround of a league-worst team from four years prior.
Rooney stated, “There is a mentality I have to instil in the players so that when they step onto the field, they become a really horrible team to play against.
That is intriguing. That’s what I intend to do.
