Wayne Rooney will have it easy at DC United compared to Derby nightmare, says former Man Utd team-mate Phil Neville
PHIL NEVILLE reckons Wayne Rooney will have it easy at DC United compared to his Derby County nightmare. The Manchester United and England legend is set to be announced as DC’s new boss on Tuesday after the 36-year-old flew into the US capital on Sunday night. Rooney, who spent two years as a DC United […]
PHIL NEVILLE reckons Wayne Rooney will have it easy at DC United compared to his Derby County nightmare.
The Manchester United and England legend is set to be announced as DC’s new boss on Tuesday after the 36-year-old flew into the US capital on Sunday night.
Rooney, who spent two years as a DC United player between 2018 and 2020, has been out of work since quitting crisis club Derby last month following their relegation to League One.
He arrives with the MLS strugglers second from bottom in the Eastern Conference after Friday’s 7-0 thrashing by Philadelphia.
But former team-mate Neville, who bosses MLS rivals Inter Miami, thinks his old pal will be a success.
He told SunSport: “I think in his managerial career so far, Wayne was thrown in at the deep end in Derby.
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“They had no money, they had takeover problems, they had points deductions and he nearly performed a miracle.
“So in a way this job might be slightly easier because he’ll be working under better conditions. There is no relegation like there is in England.”
Rooney had a rollercoaster US playing career.
He scored 25 goals in 52 games but was arrested in December 2018 for “public swearing and intoxication” after taking sleeping tablets and drinking on a flight.
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Visa issues mean Roo will work as a consultant initially, with caretaker Chad Ashton continuing to oversee the team after boss Hernan Losada’s April axe.
Neville added: “Wayne has an advantage because he’s played in MLS, he’s got experience, he’s been on the road trips and he knows some of the players he will be coming up against.
“He’s not coming here as someone that’s never been involved in the league, he knows what it’s all about. So I think that gives him a great advantage.
“He’s not one of those managers that you read about in MLS that come from foreign shores and take 12 months to settle.
“He knows everything about the league. So I think that gives him a great advantage in terms of the start.
“I know the work that he’s put in at Derby has been really good in terms of developing his culture and style — this is the next step for him.
“It’s going to be tough but Wayne is one of the most iconic figures in English football.
“The most successful scorer in England and Manchester United’s history — so that brings a level of expectation.
“Everything that Wayne does brings a level of expectation.
“Ever since I was introduced to him, he has got that hunger and desire to do everything it takes to be successful.”
However, Rooney’s wife Coleen could be reluctant to make the move.
In texts to Rebekah Vardy in 2018, which were revealed earlier this year amid their courtroom battle, Coleen said: “Washington isn’t the best — nice to visit but different to live. Not loads for the kids to do.
“Mostly park, hardly any soft plays and things like that. It’s quite behind the UK, which I never would have thought. But we will get used to it (I hope).
“Wayne is loving it, and the kids are fine, settled into school straightaway. So really happy they are fine.”