England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has been appointed manager of English second-tier Championship side Plymouth Argyle, the club announced on Saturday.
The job is Rooney’s first managerial role since being sacked by Birmingham City in January after a disastrous 15-game spell in charge of the Championship club. Birmingham would go on to be relegated and Rooney now joins the team that finished just one place above them, in 20th, to narrowly escape dropping down to League One.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL more (U.S.)
“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,” Rooney said in a statement.
“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.”
He replaces Ian Foster, who was sacked in April after only three months as manager. Plymouth, who were in their first season back in the second tier since 2009-10, have never played in England’s top division.
“I have experienced first-hand how talented…
