Manager Rooney leaves Plymouth Argyle

The second-tier Championship team announced on Tuesday that it has mutually decided to fire head coach Wayne Rooney after little over seven months in charge.

In May, Rooney took Ian Foster’s position at Plymouth on a three-year contract. But under his direction, the squad faltered, finished with 18 points from 23 games, four points outside the safety zone, and failed to win away this season.

The former England and Manchester United forward managed 25 games throughout all competitions prior to leaving.

This is Rooney’s second setback of 2024 after he was fired as head coach of Birmingham City in January.

“First team coach Kevin Nancekivell and club captain Joe Edwards will lead the team for our Championship match against Bristol City on New Year’s Day,” Plymouth stated in a statement.

“I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Plymouth Argyle, and I’ll continue to watch and be interested in their results,” Rooney continued.

In October 2023, when Birmingham was sixth, he was hired as manager; however, he was fired in January when they dropped to 20th place.

The 39-year-old has managed Derby County and DC United, a team in Major League Soccer (MLS).