Wayne Rooney warned over managerial future after signing Match of the Day contract

Rooney has already been warned by former Manchester United team-mate Louis Saha that he could find it difficult to return to management having signed a contract with the BBC's flagship football highlights programme, which will also see the former England international give his thoughts at the 2026 World Cup.

Rooney has had short head coach stints with Derby, D.C. United, Birmingham and most recently Plymouth since retiring as a player in 2021. However, he could only win five of his 25 matches in charge of Argyle and looks to have shelved those ambitions for the time being to concentrate on punditry work. Former England defender Stuart Pearce has now given his opinion, insisting the 39-year-old's arrival is a big coup for the BBC.

Pearce was speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League odds, and said: “Wayne Rooney is going to be a good asset for the BBC. He's got a wealth of experience. He's been one of the best players ever to grace the Premier League, no doubt about that.

“The management situation doesn't seem to have worked out for him particularly well for whatever reason. I suppose if you're working in the game at the moment, if you're a chairman looking to recruit, Wayne Rooney wouldn't be on your list of candidates potentially at present.

“But, you never know, a year away from the game, he might quite enjoy working in the media and from that moment on rekindle the fact that he wants to come and have another go at management again, who knows.”

Rooney has been advised alongside Steven Gerrard to take a gamble and develop his coaching skills in a less high-profile environment by former England boss Roy Hodgson, who spent time abroad in countries like Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Denmark during his managerial career.

Rooney will continue to be a regular on television screens as a pundit but will also be featured alongside wife Coleen in an upcoming Disney+ documentary which will show fans how the couple are behind closed doors.