MLS club D.C. United announced on Tuesday that Wayne Rooney has been appointed as the team’s new head coach. “I feel the experience again at Derby County of the past 18 months has been great in my development as a coach, as a manager, and to really come here back to the MLS, back to D.C. United was an exciting challenge for me, something which I feel can develop me as a coach, but also, the team needs to improve,” Rooney stated following this confirmation.
The former Manchester United striker resigned from his role as manager of Championship side Derby County last month, where he assisted the side to make a major turnaround performance-wise. Unfortunately, due to a 21-point deduction after being placed in administration, the club was relegated, ending the season with 34 points as a result of the penalty.
Rooney’s managerial appointment will see the 36-year-old return to D.C. after 2 years, where he served the club from 2018 until 2020 in a playing capacity. During his two seasons in Washington D.C., Rooney scored 25 goals in 52 appearances.
With Rooney at the helm, D.C. United hopes to make a strong recovery from what has been a disappointing season. Currently, the team is second from bottom in the Eastern Conference standings, having won just five of their 17 matches. Following the dismissal of the previous coach Hernan Losada in April, Chad Ashton oversaw the team in an interim capacity.
