Revealed: Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney won 80-man race for Plymouth job & did not receive ‘any favours’ after disastrous stint at Birmingham alongside Tom Brady

The Manchester United and England legend is determined to make a name for himself in management, with his ultimate goal being to return to Old Trafford at some stage. His reputation took a serious hit when lasting just 15 games at Birmingham – with Tom Brady and the Blues board quickly deciding to bring that failed experiment to a close.

Rooney is now back in the Championship at Plymouth, having also worked at that level with Derby, and Pilgrims director Neil Dewsnip has told The Mirror of bringing United’s all-time leading goalscorer on board: “Birmingham City didn’t go great for him but even Sir Alex Ferguson has experienced the sack at St. Mirren. What do they say? The path to success is not always a straight line? He’s had a bump in the road but at Derby he was up against the odds and did well while D.C United almost made the MLS play-offs. Knowing the kind of person he is he would have learned from all that. He will use that as incredible motivation.”

Dewsnip previously worked with Rooney during his time in Everton’s academy system and added on how and why the 38-year-old has been given another chance at Home Park: “Regarding the Plymouth job Wayne made the initial move that he wanted to be involved in the process of us looking for a head coach. We must have had around 80 showing an interest. We got it down to a smaller number and asked four to come for an interview. Wayne was one of them and deservedly won the day. He didn’t receive any favours. It came through very strongly that he was anxious to be actively involved again despite making a very favourable impression as a TV pundit. The desire was there. He has gone on record saying that one day he would like to become manager of Manchester United. In order to do that he convinced us he was full of enthusiasm and had fire in his belly to do the best he possibly can at Argyle. If he doesn’t then he won’t progress to his dream job.”

Rooney has been appointed by Plymouth on a three-year contract, with his first task being to ensure that they remain in the second tier of English football. His vast experience will be put to good use there, with the plan being to quickly forget about the struggles that he endured at Birmingham.