Wayne Rooney would be forgiven for turning down the manager's position at DC United after the MLS side suffered record-equalling defeat to Philadelphia Union on Friday night.
DC are reportedly considering offering Rooney the manager's role after sacking head coach Hernan Losada in April and placing Chad Ashton in charge on an interim basis. DC are currently 13th in the MLS' Eastern Conference, eight points off a play-off spot.
Rooney is a free agent after leaving troubled Derby County last month. He would have to discuss his next job with wife Coleen, although she isn't a fan of Washington and DC's recent humiliation may just make the Englishman's decision a bit easier.
DC were hammered 7-0 by Philadelphia, the joint-largest margin of defeat in the MLS' 26-year history. Philadelphia found the back of the net five times during the first half, which is the joint-most scored in the opening 45 minutes of an MLS game.
Julian Carranza scored a hat-trick for Jim Curtin's side, while both Alejandro Bedoya and Mikael Uhre bagged braces at the Subaru Park. Philadelphia are just the fifth team in the competition's history to have three players score multiple goals in a single game.
"We weren't perfect by any stretch, but I'd say the first half is about as close as you can get," said Philadelphia boss Curtin. "If you were to say Philadelphia Union soccer: Keep a clean sheet, don't give up a shot on goal and also put the other team under pressure and score relentlessly – that's us at our best. So, full credit to the players.
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"They've worked very hard. It's a group that's had a lot of ties and a lot of frustration, but it's a group that also doesn't get beat. We have a bunch of winners in this group, and tonight was a good reward for them, a good reward for the fans and I think also a message to the league that we are a good defensive team, but we can also score goals."
Rooney knows Washington well following an 18-month spell at DC towards the end of his playing career. He scored 25 goals for the club, winning their MVP award and earning a spot in the MLS's Best XI in 2018. He was also named in the MLS' All-Star team in 2019.
Coleen has never publicly criticised Washington but confirmed she wasn't a fan of the area in texts sent to Rebekah Vardy in 2018. These messages were revealed during the recent Wagatha Christie feud between the two WAGS, which is still ongoing.
Responding to a message from Rebekah, Coleen wrote: "Hiya, hope your all week [well]. We’re ok thanks its tough being on your own though."
She added: "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."
