Wayne Rooney up for Manager of the Month award as Man Utd legend rebuilds coaching reputation with Plymouth following forgettable 83-day stint alongside Tom Brady at Birmingham

The former England captain lasted just 83 days in his previous managerial role, with Tom Brady and the Birmingham board quickly calling time on a failed experiment during the 2023-24 campaign. Questions were asked at that point if Rooney was cut out for life in the dugout.

Plymouth offered him a route back into the Championship coaching game, with Rooney showing his full commitment to that role by moving to Devon without his wife Coleen and their four sons. A painful defeat on the opening weekend of the 2024-25 campaign led to more uncomfortable questions.

Rooney has overseen a reversal in fortune since then, with September seeing Plymouth pick up six points from three games. As a result, he is line for the Manager of the Month gong, with the EFL saying of the 38-year-old’s efforts: “After a difficult start at Argyle, Rooney is winning over the Plymouth faithful with the 4-3-3 front foot style his team is playing. Two wins from three games each came with three goals against leaders Sunderland and newly relegated Luton.”

Plymouth have picked up another win in October, as Rooney saw red during a 2-1 victory over Blackburn. When it comes to the September Manager of the Month gong, Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer is up against John Eustace of Blackburn – the man that he controversially replaced at Birmingham – Sheffield United coach Chris Wilder and Burnley boss Scott Parker.