Wayne Rooney thanked Plymouth Argyle fans for “memories we will share forever” after ending his 25-match reign as manager with the club bottom of the Championship and four points from safety.
Recruit Rooney was under pressure after overseeing a run of one win in 14 matches, including a 2-0 defeat to relegation rivals Oxford United on Sunday which was Argyle’s fourth consecutive away defeat without mark.
“To the Green Army, thank you for making the games at Home Park so special,” said the 39-year-old, who also praised his coaching staff, club chairman Simon Hallett and club manager football Neil Dewsnip.
“These are memories we will share forever. Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart and I will continue to watch and be interested in their results.
BREAKING: Wayne Rooney mutually agrees to leave Plymouth 🚨 pic.twitter.com/VkVf2toR56
– Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 31, 2024
Rooney leaves Plymouth
Rooney, assistant manager Mike Phelan and coach Simon Ireland have left the Pilgrims by mutual consent, with first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell and club captain Joe Edwards taking charge of the visit of Bristol City on Wednesday (12.30 p.m. GMT) and Daryl Flahavan remaining the goalkeeper. coach.
Phelan coached Rooney when he was assistant manager at Manchester United, first under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2008 and 2013, then for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick between 2018 and 2022.
Rooney Plymouth Record
United’s all-time top scorer described his move to Argyle as “the perfect next step in my career” when he was surprisingly handed the job in May.
Hallett said Rooney’s “ambitions and goals” were a perfect fit for the club, adding that he would provide “exciting, attacking football that we all love to see and help us achieve the club’s mission”.
Steven Schumacher led Plymouth to promotion in 2023 before leaving in December that year to join Stoke City, with his replacement, Ian Foster, taking over for a dismal three-month tenure before an interim management team did not provide security on the last day of last season.
Starting with a 4–0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday as part of a four-match winless run, Argyle struggled throughout the campaign and never won back-to-back wins under Rooney.
They recorded successive home wins over Sunderland and Luton Town in September and beat fourth division Cheltenham Town to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup, but have not won since their 1-0 home win over Portsmouth on November 5.
More to follow
