Wayne Rooney has been let go by Plymouth after just SEVEN months in charge.
The Manchester United icon was appointed as Argyle’s new manager back in May but it has been a disastrous spell in charge. Rooney has led the club to just four Championship wins all season.
The latest adverse result saw Plymouth sink to a 2-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Oxford United. It leaves Plymouth rock bottom of the table, already four points from safety and the club’s owners have decided to make a change.
A statement read: “Plymouth Argyle can confirm that the club and Head Coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. Departing the club with Rooney will be Assistant Head Coach Mike Phelan and first team coach Simon Ireland.
“First team coach Kevin Nancekivell and Club Captain Joe Edwards will lead the team for our Sky Bet Championship match against Bristol City on New Year’s Day. Daryl Flahavan will continue as Goalkeeping coach. We would like to thank Wayne and his team for all their efforts and wish them well for the future.”
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Plymouth will now kick off their search for Rooney’s long-term successor. They are next back in action on New Year’s Day as they tackle Bristol City at home ahead of a clash with Stoke.
Rooney’s spell in charge saw a number of humiliating defeats amid growing calls for him to be sacked. His first game as Plymouth boss ended in a 4-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
There was also a 5-0 defeat to Cardiff back in October, alongside back-to-back 6-1 and 4-0 losses to Norwich and Bristol City respectively.
A 4-0 defeat to Coventry – managed by Rooney’s former England colleague Frank Lampard was followed by the weekend defeat at the Kassam Stadium. It proved to be Rooney’s final game at the helm.
Wayne Rooney has led Plymouth to just four league wins this season
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Image:
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Rooney said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, in particular Simon Hallett and Neil Dewsnip who I shared great relationships with. Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as Head Coach and I wish them all the best for the future.
“To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever. I would also like to give a special mention to my coaching staff Kevin Nancekivell, Simon Ireland, Darryl Flahavan and Mike Phelan for their knowledge, dedication, help and support. Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to look out for and take interest in their results.”
Meanwhile, Rooney’s exit from Home Park leaves his long-term managerial career in severe doubt. It is the second time that he has been sacked from a role having also been jettisoned by Birmingham last season upon their relegation to League One.
He won just two of his 15 games in charge at St Andrews before being told to leave by the club’s American owners. Before that, Rooney had spells with Derby County and DC United.
He resigned from his role at Pride Park after failing to keep the Rams in the Championship, while Rooney also left DC after failing to secure a spot in the MLS post-season playoffs.
His Plymouth axe comes after he released a statement on Monday night surrounding claims over his off-field life. A video of his seemingly allowing a mystery woman into his apartment went viral on social media, but Rooney clarified the footage.
He wrote on Instagram: “I am aware of a video circulating online. The video shows a man and woman looking around my apartment. The couple kindly gave me a lift home and were in there at the same time as my son who was visiting.
“Footage is from last summer. It is annoying that at least one online newspaper has chosen to edit the footage to make it appear as though a woman entered the apartment on her own. That is simply not true.”
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