Wayne Rooney: From Star Striker to Future Manager?

Wayne Rooney is one of the most iconic figures in English football history. He has scored more goals than any other player for both Manchester United and the England national team, winning numerous trophies and awards along the way. He is widely regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation, and a legend of the game.

But Rooney’s career is not over yet. After retiring as a player in 2021, he became the manager of Derby County, a second-tier club that was facing relegation and financial troubles. Despite the challenges, Rooney managed to steer Derby to safety in his first season, showing his leadership and tactical skills.

Now, some fans and pundits are wondering if Rooney could be the next manager of the England team, following in the footsteps of his former teammate and mentor, Gareth Southgate. Southgate has done a remarkable job with England, leading them to the final of Euro 2020 and the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup. However, he has not yet delivered a major trophy for the Three Lions, and his contract expires after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Could Rooney be the man to succeed Southgate and take England to glory? What are his strengths and weaknesses as a manager? Let’s take a look at some of the factors that could influence his chances.

Strengths:

  • Experience: Rooney has played at the highest level for almost two decades, winning five Premier League titles, one Champions League title, one FA Cup, three League Cups, one Europa League title, and one FIFA Club World Cup with Manchester United. He has also represented England in four World Cups and three European Championships, scoring 53 goals in 120 caps. He knows what it takes to win big games and tournaments, and how to handle pressure and expectations.
  • Passion: Rooney has always been a passionate and committed player, who gave his all for his club and country. He has shown the same attitude as a manager, motivating his players and demanding high standards from them. He is not afraid to speak his mind or make tough decisions, as he proved by dropping some senior players from Derby’s squad when they were underperforming.
  • Style: Rooney has adopted an attractive and attacking style of play as a manager, inspired by some of his former coaches like Sir Alex Ferguson, Louis van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho. He likes his teams to play with intensity, creativity, and flair, while also being disciplined and organized defensively. He has shown flexibility and adaptability in changing formations and tactics according to the opponents and situations.

Weaknesses:

  • Inexperience: Rooney has only been a manager for less than two years, and he has not yet faced any top-level opposition or competition. He has only managed Derby County in the Championship, which is a very different level from international football. He still has a lot to learn and prove as a manager before he can be considered for the England job.
  • Reputation: Rooney’s reputation as a player was not always positive. He was often involved in controversies and scandals on and off the pitch, such as red cards, bans, injuries, transfers, affairs, gambling, drinking, etc. He also had some clashes with managers and teammates over the years. Some people may question his character and suitability for such a high-profile and prestigious role as the England manager.
  • Pressure: Managing England is one of the most difficult and demanding jobs in world football. The expectations are always high from the fans, media, and FA, who want nothing less than winning major trophies. The scrutiny and criticism are also intense and relentless, especially when things go wrong. Rooney would have to deal with all these pressures while also balancing his personal and family life.

Conclusion:

Wayne Rooney is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in English football history, and he has shown promising signs as a manager with Derby County. However, he still has a long way to go before he can be considered for the England job. He needs to gain more experience and success at club level first, while also improving his reputation and handling pressure better. If he can do that, he may have a chance to follow Southgate’s footsteps and become England’s next manager.