Wayne Rooney’s shock walkout came so he can spend more time with wife Coleen and their kids, we can reveal.
Sources close to the football legend say he quit his £90,000-a-week job as manager of Derby County on Friday to support his family.
The dramatic move came after the couple faced intense scrutiny over Coleen’s “Wagatha Christie” legal battle with rival footballer’s wife Rebekah Vardy.
Now Wayne, 36, is having his first full summer break in 20 years – going back to when he and school sweetheart Coleen were first dating.
Coleen, 36, and her husband are enjoying a holiday in Ibiza with pals including former Manchester United captain Michael Carrick, 40, and West Brom boss Steve Bruce’s son Alex.
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It follows a no-expenses-spared family jaunt to Dubai with sons Kai, 12, Klay, nine, Kit, six, and Cass, four.
Our source said: “Wayne’s always had pre-season tours, World Cups, Euros. He’s not had a summer off since he was a kid himself.
“He wants to spend the summer holidays with his boys. They break up from school soon and he just wants to spend a lot more time with them and Coleen.
“If he’d stayed at Derby then he’d have to be back at work in a week or so, preparing for the new season.
“That would have given him hardly any time with the children. He just wants to enjoy a full summer with his kids – it’ll be boss.”
The former Everton, Manchester United and England star stunned fans of relegated Championship side Derby by quitting with another year of his contract still to run. He had been widely praised for his efforts at the club which faces a fight for survival amid severe cash problems and the search for new owners.
But our insider stressed Wayne has not turned his back on his beloved sport for good. The source said: “He will be back, he loves football. Maybe after the summer, if the right opportunity comes up. But you have to get the balance right between work and family.”
The couple expect a verdict in the Wagatha case next week.
Coleen claimed that Rebekah Vardy, wife of Leicester City player Jamie, 35, had been leaking information from Coleen’s private Instagram social media account.
Rebekah, 40, denied the accusation and sued Coleen for libel, leading to a £3million High Court trial last month. Coleen, who this week posted pictures on the internet of their Ibiza holiday, wrote: “Magical memories, great friends, lots of belly laughs!! Very much needed.”
Despite a string of past sex scandals involving Wayne, their marriage appears stronger than ever.
