DC United reach an agreement with Wayne Rooney to become Head Coach

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By Martin Graham | 12th Jul 2022

Wayne Rooney is going on another adventure in the United States as he becomes head coach of DC United. The former Everton & Manchester United forward should be unveiled on Tuesday.

Major League Soccer side DC United are in dire need of a miracle. The American club has posted different results that do not align with the desires of the owners and their fans. Languishing in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, the Black-and-Red are looking for help from anywhere.

Things have not looked rosy for United, and they want to change the situation but are currently clueless on what direction to follow. With clubs like LAFC signing players like Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale, they find themselves in a position where they can’t attract the kind of players they need.

DC United last featured in the playoffs in 2020 when Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney was still at the club. With the idea of making it to the playoffs this season off the table, United want to make changes that could alter their trajectory. DC United will again change guards and have agreed to a deal with Wayne Rooney to take over the managerial reins at the club.

Rooney agrees to lead DC United

The furore over the interest in Rooney by DC United is finally at rest. Reports last week claimed that Rooney was in discussions with several clubs over becoming their manager, but it seems that the former Derby County has decided to head to the United States.

According to the latest reports, Wayne Rooney has agreed to become the new head coach of MLS side DC United. The Englishman will take over a club whose fortunes have nosedived in recent years. Whether the former Red Devils striker can pull them out of the rut remains a big question. Looking at the history of the former Derby manager, nothing exactly shows he can rescue the team. It is akin to walking into a dark alley blind. At best, United are taking a Hail Mary shot.

A tortuous past and laborious future

Wayne Rooney is no longer a managerial virgin. The 36-year-old has had a managerial stint in one of the most torrid situations. Rooney stepped down from his position as manager of Derby County last month after a torrid time with the Rams.

The Derby County job was his first shot at management, and it saw him navigate the club through the murky waters of administration and relegation to League One, before joining Derby County as manager, Rooney spent 18 months at DC United.

Rooney joined Derby in January 2020 as a player coach. Phillip Cocu left Derby at the bottom of the Championship, and following his departure, Rooney took over in November in an interim capacity. Three months later, he became the permanent manager on a two-and-half-year contract.

Rooney has the assignment to pull DC United out of their current rut. The former Everton forward should be unveiled as the new manager on Tuesday.