Roy Keane’s verdict on Wayne Rooney’s ‘tough jobs’ which led him to Plymouth

Manchester United icon Roy Keane offered a candid piece of advice to his former team-mate Wayne Rooney before he recently took the managerial reins at Plymouth Argyle.

The ex-Derby County boss, who officially joined Plymouth on May 25, has expressed his eagerness to “play expansive football” and “entertain fans” in his new role, reports Plymouth Live.

Club chairman Simon Hallett and chief executive Andrew Parkinson have both expressed their excitement over securing the services of the England great. However, Keane, who has managerial experience from his Sunderland days, previously cautioned Rooney about the scrutiny that comes with being a manager.

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Keane shared his insights during an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, reflecting on the challenges faced by high-profile players-turned-managers.

He said: “You’ve got Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney, but these are lucky lads. I was lucky to get the job at Sunderland, my first gig after having a half-decent career, but the problem is when you have a decent career, when you go through a difficult spell people throw it at you straight away.”

Highlighting the tough start Rooney has had in management and the quick judgments that follow, Keane continued: “Wayne’s stats at the moment are not great because he has had tough jobs. The first thing people will say is because you were a top player, does not mean you will be a top manager. But Wayne, like myself, is still learning our trade.”

United’s record-breaking goalscorer transitioned from the pitch to the managerial role at Derby County in November 2020. At that time, the club was languishing at the bottom of the Championship but managed to climb to 18th position, eight points clear of the relegation zone. However, an end-of-season slump meant they narrowly avoided relegation by a single point.

The following season, Derby County faced relegation after a total deduction of 21 points – 12 for entering administration and nine for historical financial breaches. During his tenure at Derby, Rooney oversaw 85 games, winning 24, drawing 22, and losing 39, resulting in a win rate of 28.2%.

After leaving Derby, Rooney moved to the United States to join MLS club DC United in July 2022. Despite his efforts, the team narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs, leading to his departure. His final record at the club was 14 wins, 14 draws, and 26 losses.

Rooney then returned to England, taking up the head coach position at Birmingham City for a 15-game stint. During this period, the team only managed two victories, drew four times, and suffered nine defeats. He was dismissed in January of this year due to the poor performances. Birmingham City were then eventually relegated at the end of the season after a tumultuous campaign that saw four different managers take the helm.

The three roles have given Rooney a managerial record of 40 victories from 154 matches (25.97 per cent), along with 40 draws and 74 losses. United legend Keane’s advice to Rooney after his Birmingham City appointment could still be relevant, as he pointed out that people will be quick to scrutinise his record as both a player and a manager if he fails to find success at Plymouth Argyle.

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