Wayne Rooney told he's handled himself 'really well' in management despite Birmingham & Plymouth struggles as ex-Premier League midfielder reveals what England & Man Utd legend needs to succeed

The ex-England captain cut his coaching teeth at Derby after hanging up his boots as a Rams player. He suffered relegation out of the Championship there, before failing to make the MLS play-offs after linking up with D.C. United.

Rooney then spent just 83 days at Birmingham, as NFL legend Brady and the Blues board were left cursing a bold appointment, while a forgettable stint at Plymouth was cut short after 25 games at the helm.

Rooney is expected to return to the dugout at some stage - with former Three Lions team-mate Steven Gerrard another big name that is looking to rebuild his reputation in coaching circles.

Ex-Birmingham midfielder David Dunn, who played alongside Rooney and Gerrard in the Premier League and England camp, told GOAL - via William Hill - when asked if two icons of the modern era will become top bosses: “I love to see English coaches getting an opportunity. The jobs that Wayne has got, it’s sometimes very difficult to go into certain clubs.

“We see from the outside but we don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. That’s always very difficult for anyone to look at managers because there are so many things that you have got to deal with. I’m a big believer in the fact that you stand a much better chance with the bigger budgets you have.

“Derby, John [Eustace] has done a great job there but when Wayne was there, was the budget there for him to succeed? Plymouth, a pretty newly promoted team. Tough jobs. I think he’s handled himself really well with it.”

Rooney and Gerrard were linked with Blackburn before Valerien Ismael oversaw a productive end to the 2024-25 campaign for Rovers, but Dunn cannot see either at Ewood Park any time soon. He added on another of his former clubs: “First of all, I think John Eustace did a really good job at Blackburn - as he did at Birmingham. When Valerien Ismael came in, it’s a different style. I’m not in the dressing room so I don’t know the ins and outs, but different styles and it takes time.

“The last four or five games, they went so close. Like a lot of Blackburn fans do, it’s so close again and too little, too late. I think the manager will be judged on next season.”

Pressed further on an imminent arrival for Rooney or Gerrard, Dunn said: “I don’t think so. The way that the season finished, I think he has earned the right to lead the team into next season. If he starts like he finished, we will be right up there!”

Gerrard, who guided Rangers to Scottish Premiership title glory in his first managerial role, has been out of work since severing ties with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. Rooney, meanwhile, has returned to punditry duty as he waits on appealing coaching offers.