Wayne Rooney thanked Plymouth Argyle fans for “memories we will share forever” after he ended his 25-game reign with the club bottom of the Championship and four points adrift of safety.
Rooney is under pressure after managing just one win in 14 games, including a 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Oxford United on Sunday, Argyle's fourth successive away loss without scoring.
“To the Green Army, thanks for making the games at Home Park so special,” said the 39-year-old, who also praised his coaching staff, club president Simon Hallett and director of football Neil Dosnip.
“These are memories we will share forever. The Plymouth Argyle will always have a special place in my heart, and I will continue to research and care for its results.
BREAKING: Wayne Rooney mutually agrees to leave Plymouth 🚨 pic.twitter.com/VkVf2toR56
– Sky Sports News (SkySportsNews) December 31, 2024
Ronnie leaves Plymouth
Rooney, assistant manager Mike Phelan and coach Simon Ireland have left the Pilgrims by mutual consent, with first-team coach Kevin Nancyville and captain Joe Edwards taking charge for the visit of Bristol City on Wednesday (12:30pm GMT) and Darryl Flahavan continuing in goal. trainer.
Former United player Phelan coached Rooney during his time as Manchester United's assistant coach, first under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2008 and 2013, and their achievements included three Premier League titles, winning two Carabao Cups and reaching the Champions League final twice.
Phelan returned to his position between 2018 and 2022, working alongside technical directors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Ronnie Plymouth record
United's all-time top goalscorer described joining Argyle as “the perfect next step in my career” when he was surprisingly given the job in May.
Hallett said Rooney's “ambitions and goals” were a perfect fit for the club, adding that he would provide “the exciting, attacking type of football that we all want to see and help us achieve the club's mission.”
Ghafer dreamed of running 🤣
These bench scenes are everything! 💚 pic.twitter.com/OtfV1CZyxG
– Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) November 23, 2024
Steven Schumacher led Plymouth to promotion in 2023 before leaving in December that year to join Stoke City, with his replacement Ian Foster taking charge for a dismal three-month spell before a caretaker management team secured safety on the final day of last season.
Starting with a 4–0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday as part of a four-match winless run, Argyle struggled throughout the season and never achieved back-to-back wins under Rooney.
The team achieved consecutive victories at home over Sunderland and Luton Town last September and defeated Cheltenham Town, which belongs to the fourth division, to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup, but it has not achieved any victory since its victory over Portsmouth 1-0 at home on November 5.
Wayne Rooney leaves Plymouth with his team bottom of the Championship table and ultimately not very good at football. pic.twitter.com/KPMK7OtTyy
– Tom Carnduff (@TomCarnduff) December 31, 2024
Rooney's administrative record
Plymouth were widely ridiculed for appointing Rooney after the former England striker played a key role in Birmingham City's relegation from the Championship in 2023/24.
Birmingham were in the play-off places when Rooney was appointed in October 2023, but were forced to sack him after a run of nine defeats in 15 games from which City were unable to recover, and Plymouth were among the clubs to remain at their expense.
Rooney left DC United to join City, having failed to lead the club to the MLS playoffs during his 15-month stay in Washington.
His first managerial role was arguably his most successful, as he led Derby County to the Championship safety in 2020/21 at a time when the Rams were in financial trouble.
Everton's Rooney left Derby, who had been relegated a month earlier and lost a total of 21 points that season due to financial problems, in June 2022.
