Wayne Rooney has agreed terms with D.C. United to become their next manager - despite wife Coleen 's reservations about living in Washington.
The Manchester United legend has decided to return to the United States a mere 16 days after announcing that he'd be leaving troubled Derby County following the club's relegation to League One. Rooney, who spent 18 months in Washington between June 2018 and December 2019 and became the MLS side's captain, is now back in North America to coach them, according to the Athletic.
Footage of the 35-year-old landing at Dulles international airport on Sunday night emerged across social media, with D.C. still licking their wounds after a 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Philadelphia Union on Saturday, a record-equalling loss. The result also keeps them firmly second-bottom of the Eastern Conference, with 17 points after as many games.
As for Coleen's feeling on the move, leaked text messages sent to Rebekah Vardy in 2018 - revealed during the Wagatha Christie feud - revealed her disliking for the US capital. In response to Vardy asking how things were going, the Liverpudlian replied: "Hiya, hope your all week [well]. We're ok thanks its tough being on your own though.
Coleen went on to say: "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 though. But we will get used to it (I hope). "Wayne is loving it, and the kids are fine, settled into school straight away. So really happy they are fine. Thanks for the message love xx."
In a separate message, she admitted that she "never believed in homesickness" until leaving the UK, adding that she "cried every night" due to missing her family back home.
It's claimed that Rooney has been in talks over the move for "weeks," having enjoyed his spell in Washington before heading to Derby to firstly be a player, and then manager. Unable to guide the Rams to safety in the Championship thanks to a 21-point deduction, the England 's all-time record top goalscorer will now have the task of bringing D.C. back to the MLS play-offs, which they've missed out on for the past two years since his departure.
Current interim head coach Chad Ashton, who replaced the sacked Hernan Losada in April, had been told to guide the Washington-based side through the end of this season, but that now seems unlikely. However, Rooney faces a race against time to be in charge for D.C.'s next match: a home clash with Columbus.
That's because the former Everton prodigy will need to acquire a Visa before officially being installed as boss, meaning Sunday's trip to Minnesota is a more likely start date. D.C are also set to host Bayern Munich in a friendly on July 21, with the regular MLS campaign wrapping up on October 9.
Rooney, who'd reportedly been eyed by major broadcast companies to become a pundit, described time at Derby as a "rollercoaster of emotions," with his ex-assistant Liam Rosenior taking the reins for the Rams' first campaign in the third tier of English football in 65 years.
"I met with the administrators to inform them of my decision that it was time for me to leave the club. In fairness to them, they tried tremendously hard to change my decision but my mind was made up," he wrote in a lengthy statement. "My time at the club has been a rollercoaster of emotions, both highs and lows, but I have to say that I have enjoyed the challenge.
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"Personally, I feel the club now needs to be led by someone with fresh energy and not affected by the events that have happened over the last eighteen months. I will remember my time at Derby with great pride and affection and would like to thank all my staff, players and of course the fans for their incredible support.
"I will never forget you and hope to see you all again in the near future and in happier times. Finally, I am aware that the club still have interested parties who wish to take over the running of the club. To them I say this, Derby County is a great club with a great history and great fans. I wish you all the best and much success for the future."
