Wayne Rooney has slammed the suggestion that he has taken a backwards step in his managerial career by taking over at D.C. United, labelling the claims as 'disrespectful.'
The Manchester United legend has returned to the Major League Soccer club, where he enjoyed a two-year stint towards the end of his glittering career, as head coach. He is still awaiting the completion of a visa application before officially beginning his new role in Washington.
Rooney has made a quick return to management after leaving crisis-stricken Derby County last month, where he made a great impression as he nearly managed to keep the Rams in the Championship last season despite a 21-point deduction at the start of the campaign. The retired striker had hoped to stay at Pride Park but continued uncertainty surrounding the club led to him stepping down.
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It had been speculated that Rooney may land a top-end Championship or even Premier League job off the back of his work at Derby but he has instead returned to the USA. However, he doesn't believe it is a regression in the slightest.
“I’ve seen a few articles, certainly back in England, on this [being] possibly a backward step in my managerial career. I really found that a bit disrespectful to this league,” Rooney said in his unveiling press conference broadcast on D.C.'s Youtube channel.
“I think as a player, playing in the main [part] of my career at the top level, you can really choose which club you want to go to“ As a manager I’m at the beginning of that journey. I’m at a point where I have to put the work in.
“Of course, I’m an ambitious person, I want to manage at the top level and this is part of that process, in terms of coming here, trying to develop this club, trying to get success here, but also develop myself as a manager.”
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