Wayne Rooney has hit back at suggestions his move to DC United represents a backward step.
Rooney left his post at Derby County in June and had been linked with other jobs in English football. However, he has instead opted to return to the United States to rejoin the club where he spent two years as a player.
He will begin his new job with the task of lifting the MLS side up the table, with time running out to claim a spot in the end-of-season playoffs. Before taking charge of his first game, though, he took time to set things straight over some of the coverage his move has received.
"I've seen a few articles, certainly back in England, [suggesting] this is possibly a backwards step in my managerial career," said Rooney, who flew in over the weekend ahead of making his new role official. "I really find that a bit disrespectful to this league.
"I feel the experience I gained at Derby County over the past 18 months has been great in my development as a coach, as a manager, and to really come here, back to the MLS, back to DC United, was an exciting challenge for me. Something which I feel can develop me as a coach, but also the team need to improve.
"I think that's obvious for everyone to see, and I really believe with my capabilities of developing players - young players. Of course, we're working hard to get a few players in - we can really get this club back to successful ways again, and it's going to take a lot of hard work, but that's what I'm here to do."
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Rooney scored 25 goals across two seasons with DC United, before returning to England to join Derby. However, the club have been struggling in MLS since his departure.
Previous manager Hernan Losada was dismissed in April, with Chad Ashton taking temporary charge until Rooney's arrival. The club currently sit towards the bottom of the Eastern Conference, nine points adrift of the playoff spots, though they have games in hand over the teams above them.
"Of course I'm an ambitious person," Rooney continued. "One day 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.
"But also the connection I've got with the club, being here before, there isn't another MLS team I would have went to other than DC United. I'm proud to be here as manager; proud to be here and try to develop this club both on and off the field."
