Wayne Rooney now a Pilgrim

Wayne Rooney has been appointed as the new Head Coach of Plymouth Argyle.

His appointment follows a lengthy and extensive recruitment process, as a result of which a number of highly experienced Managers and Head Coaches were interviewed. Wayne, however, stood out as the right candidate for Argyle.

38-year-old Rooney is one of our country’s finest ever players. He is Manchester United’s all-time leading goal scorer – an accolade he also held with England until very recently – and is a five-time Premier League winner.

Rooney’s managerial experience so far has demonstrated his strong character and ability to battle against the odds. This is emphasised by his first full season in charge at Derby County, where his young team won 55 points despite off-field administrative issues engulfing the club. He has since had managerial experience in the MLS at D.C. United, where results improved as he put his own stamp on the squad, and in the Championship with Birmingham City.

Chairman Simon Hallett is thrilled to secure the services of Rooney and commented: “Throughout the interview process, Wayne showed himself to be a passionate, intelligent, and knowledgeable candidate with an appetite to prove himself and develop his managerial career.

“So much so, that he reached out to the Board when we started this process and was attracted by the project at hand and showed a real plan on how to lead the football club forward.

“His ambitions and aims match ours perfectly and we feel he is the perfect candidate to provide the exciting and attacking brand of football that we all like to see and help us achieve the club’s mission.

“We look forward to another exciting season of Championship football, and I welcome him to Argyle.”

Argyle Chief Executive Andrew Parkinson added: “Wayne brings a wealth of football experience to Argyle and a passion to kickstart his managerial career with an ambitious, forward-thinking and well-managed football club.

“As conversations advanced, it was clear there was a natural alignment in our footballing ideals and the best way to take the club forward.

“When you have positive conversations like that it is a perfect match, and we believe Wayne is the ideal person to help the club on its next five-year journey.

“Focus will now switch to strengthening the squad ahead of next season, with our recruitment team working hard behind the scenes and Wayne will be an important contributor to that work.”

Upon the announcement, Rooney concluded: “Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the Chairman and Board for the faith they have shown in me.

“This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.

“I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park. The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.

“I can’t wait for the Championship season to start in August.”

First-team coaches Kevin Nancekivell and Simon Ireland, and goalkeeping coach Daryl Flahavan will form part of Rooney’s backroom staff, with further additions to be made in due course.