Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has revealed he would only return to football management for two clubs.
The former England captain burst onto the Premier League scene by scoring spectacular goals for his boyhood club, Everton.
Rooney was then transferred to Manchester United, where he won almost every major trophy during Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary reign at Old Trafford.
After 13 years with the Red Devils, Rooney made a sensational return to Goodison Park for one last Premier League hurrah with Everton.
Having dedicated a combined 16 years of his footballing career as a talisman for Everton and Manchester United, it came as no surprise to anyone that Rooney named the two clubs whose offers he simply could not refuse in the future.
Starring in his new family documentary – The Real Rooneys, the former Everton and Manchester United captain was asked about his managerial future on Virgin Radio.
Wayne Rooney admits Man United would be one of two jobs he would return to management for
Rooney would also return if given the chance to take charge of Everton, but admits a surprise return to the dugout is ‘unlikely’
Even though Rooney described a surprise return as ‘unlikely,’ the 40-year-old said he could still see himself going back to United or Everton ‘in any capacity’.
‘I doubt it, again I know I’ve done four difficult jobs. The only way I’d go back in any capacity would be Everton or Manchester United. But that’s very unlikely,’ Rooney said.
In his glittering career at Man United, Rooney recorded 559 appearances and scored 253 goals.
After becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer, Rooney returned to Everton in 2017. Show host Chris Evans then quizzed Rooney about which job he would take out of the two. Rooney responded: ‘The one that comes first.’
Rooney left Plymouth Argyle by mutual consent in December 2024, which remains his last coaching role since he retired as a player in 2021.
The five-time Premier League winner also had forgettable managerial stints at Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City.
Leaving his management days behind, Rooney feels his new role as a pundit has given him ‘purpose’.
Rooney acknowledged he may never manage again after several unsuccessful stints in the dugout
‘I’m not doing it for money; I’m doing it for a purpose rather than just being at the house all day,’ he said in the documentary.
‘There’s a possibility I’ll never manage again moving forward. I’m enjoying Match of the Day, and it’s time to learn and get better at what I’m doing.’
Speaking to the Daily Mail after undergoing an impressive transformation in recent weeks, Rooney revealed that he worked ‘really hard’ to lose weight in the gym.
‘I’ve seen recently I’ve been taking this pen thing about me,’ he said.
‘It’s a shame, because I’m working really hard to lose weight. Apparently I’ve been on the pen.’
