Wayne Rooney tipped for League Two job after humiliating sackings

Wayne Rooney’s latest managerial gig didn’t go to plan with Plymouth and the Manchester United great has been told he may now have to accept a League Two job next time round

Wayne Rooney has been tipped to drop down as far as League Two for his next managerial gig after another failed stint in the dugout. The Manchester United icon lasted just a matter of months whilst at Plymouth before being sacked in January.

Prior to that Rooney had tried his hand at management with Birmingham and Derby, both when they were in England’s second tier. The 39-year-old is yet to achieve more than a 30 percent win rate during his spells as a manager and there may be reservations from some owners about appointing him going forward.

Rooney has been defiant about pursuing a career in management and is determined to prove that he can translate his stellar playing career into a shrewd one as a manager. However Carlton Palmer believes the Englishman may have to drop down the pyramid for his next job.

Ian Holloway and Mark Hughes, two former Premier League managers, are both plying their trade in the fourth tier of English football currently with Rooney challenged for prove himself at a lower level.

Palmer told Football League World: “He’s very thoughtful, he’s very hard-working, it’s something that he wants to do, it’s something he wants to be successful and hopefully he will get another opportunity. Probably going to have to drop down to League Two, something like that, go and prove himself there before he gets a good job.

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“But fingers crossed that he does get that opportunity, and does get on and has a successful career, just because we’ve had it as footballers. Just because we don’t succeed at the first attempt, doesn’t mean we won’t go on and be successful as managers. That’s just the way it is, you can still succeed. And if Wayne, who still has the desire and still has that in his locker that he wants to do that then of course, he can succeed.”

Palmer claimed that the Pilgrims were too quick to rid of Rooney despite them battling relegation when he departed. They enjoyed a bounce after his sacking, beating Liverpool in the FA Cup, but the England great has been given the benefit of the doubt following some turbulent spells.

“It’s a difficult one now for Wayne Rooney,” said Palmer. “Disappointing spells at Birmingham City and Plymouth. I think Birmingham, yes it was disappointing but also he was on to a hiding to nothing because of the situation with John Eustace. I think Plymouth, for me, I think they still got rid of him too early.

“I know they brought him in, it was always going to be difficult for Wayne, I think they needed to give him until the end of the season and that was in my opinion. But it was a bad situation, I’m sure Wayne still harbours thoughts of being a successful manager. It doesn’t always go that you’re a great player and you go on and be a great manager, without a shadow of a doubt Wayne was one hell of a player.”

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