Wayne Rooney with Jose Mourinho.

Rooney: I want to become a coach when I retire

Thursday 15 November 2018 10:32

Wayne Rooney has told us that he harbours ambitions to go into coaching, once his iconic playing career comes to an end.

The United legend is playing in America with MLS club DC United, where he has been an influential figure since arriving in June, scoring 12 goals in 21 games. 

Rooney is currently back in England to represent his country one final time, against the USA in a friendly at Wembley Stadium. Wayne took some time out from training to speak with our reporter Stewart Gardner.

Two of his former United team-mates have recently moved into coaching, with Michael Carrick now part of Jose Mourinho’s staff at Old Trafford and Ryan Giggs managing the Wales national team.

When asked if he will follow in their footsteps when he retires, Wayne said: "Yeah, it is something I am passionate about and I want to do.

"Obviously, I need to complete my badges, which I am doing over in the States. Hopefully, by the time I come back to England, I will have them completed and be in a position to accept or reject any offers I get."

Wayne Rooney says

"Coaching is something I'm passionate about and I want to do. Hopefully, by the time I come back to England, I'll have my badges completed and be in a position to accept or reject any offers I get."

A number of former Reds took a different pathway into the media to become pundits after hanging up their boots, including Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.

Although Rooney hasn’t ruled out working in television later down the line, he is keen to pursue coaching or management as his next step.

“There is always time,” he said in our exclusive interview. “You have got time to do TV, if that is the way you want to go. I think everyone is different.

“I would prefer to give coaching or management a go. If it doesn't work out then I am sure there would be opportunities to do TV and whatever feels right for you.”

HOW ROONEY BECAME A LEGEND FOR CLUB AND COUNTRY

The forward left Old Trafford in the summer of 2017 to re-join his boyhood club Everton after 13 successful and trophy-laden years at United.

During his time with the Reds, he won 16 major trophies, including five Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Wayne netted 253 goals in 559 appearances and surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s record to become the club’s all-time leading scorer in January 2017.

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On the international scene, Rooney is also England’s all-time record goalscorer with 53 goals and is his country’s second most-capped player behind Peter Shilton.

After officially retiring from Three Lions duty in August 2017, Rooney is set to make his 120th and final appearance in a friendly against the United States of America at Wembley Stadium on Thursday (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

The Football Association has called the match ‘The Wayne Rooney Foundation International’ in support of the forward’s charitable interests, and to honour his record-breaking career against the country in which he currently plays.

To support the Wayne Rooney Foundation, which helps to improve the lives of disadvantaged children, you can text ROONEY to 70456 to donate £5, text ROONEY to 70577 to donate £10, or head to bt.com/Rooney to donate online. 

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