Wayne Rooney has openly admitted that taking the Birmingham City job was his 'biggest regret' and has indicated he is unlikely to return to football management. The 40-year-old former England and Manchester United star reflected on his managerial career, which included stints at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle.
Rooney's Managerial Journey
Rooney enjoyed a stellar playing career, winning multiple trophies at Manchester United and becoming England's all-time leading goalscorer before retiring at Derby County. His first managerial role at Derby was praised for keeping the club competitive amid financial turmoil. However, his subsequent appointments failed to replicate that success.
After an underwhelming period with MLS side DC United, Rooney replaced John Eustace at Birmingham City in October 2023. His tenure lasted only 15 games, yielding just two wins, and his tactics were widely blamed for the club's relegation to League One in 2024.
Regret Over Birmingham City
Speaking to the BBC, Rooney said: 'I think you always have regrets and I reflect on what I done. I have managed four teams and I think the biggest regret I had is the Birmingham job in terms of the timing of when I took over from John Eustace, I think that was my biggest regret.'
He added: 'Would I return to management? Probably not. Of course I’d never close the door and say never but at the moment, where my head space is, I wouldn’t.'
Plymouth Argyle and Beyond
After Birmingham, Rooney took over at Plymouth Argyle in May 2024 but won only five of his 25 games before being sacked. The club also suffered relegation at the end of the 2024-25 season. Rooney's comments suggest he is stepping away from the dugout for the foreseeable future.
Fan Reaction and Legacy
Rooney's time at Birmingham was marred by a controversial 'no fear football' philosophy introduced by CEO Garry Cook. Fans largely supported Rooney, but his attempts to change the playing style led to a slide down the table. Many Blues supporters share their former manager's regret over how the appointment unfolded.
