Former Everton star Wayne Rooney has been announced as the head coach of Major League Soccer side D.C United.
The 36-year-old completes the move having spent over a year as manager of Derby County following his appointment in January 2021. Prior to the promotion, he had a successful stint as interim player-manager where he helped guide the Rams to Championship safety.
However, last season was an even greater challenge for Rooney as a 21-point deduction played a crucial role in their relegation from the division. Rooney confirmed his departure from Derby County last month, saying the club needed 'fresh energy' to guide them during these uncertain times.
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He'll now continue his managerial development as a head coach in the United States with D.C United, pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa. Until then, interim head coach Chad Ashton will remain in charge while his work visa is processed.
Rooney is a product of Everton's academy and made his first team breakthrough in 2002. He went on to make 77 appearances and score 17 goals for the club over a two-year spell before he completed a move to Manchester United in 2004.
He later made a brief return to Merseyside with the Blues, joining from United on a free transfer in July 2017. He spent one season with the club, making a further 39 appearances and scoring another 11 goals.
The former England international left Goodison Park a second time in 2018 to join D.C United on a free transfer. He later returned to the UK and finished his playing career at Derby County.
Rooney was linked with the Everton job only a matter of months ago following the departure of Rafa Benitez after less than six months in charge. He addressed the links at the time and said it 'wasn't the right time' for him to take charge of the Blues.
"I got approached by Everton to go and do an interview for the manager's job," he told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football in April. "As I've said, I'm in a job, I'm at Derby, I'm still learning and just felt it wasn't the right time."
D.C United's co-chairmen Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan are 'delighted' to welcome Rooney back to Audi Field. They said : “Wayne is a football legend and one of the most exciting and dynamic up-and-coming managers in our sport. He’s already proven in his young coaching career that he knows how to lead a group through adversity.
“He has an understanding of our league and what it takes to be successful in Major League Soccer thanks to his two-year stay with us as a player. The passion he showed while wearing Black-and-Red electrified our city and our club and we are so excited to welcome him back as our Head Coach.”
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