'At some point he will succeed' - Wayne Rooney tipped for new EFL managerial role after disappointing flops from Man Utd legend at Birmingham & Plymouth

The ex-England captain has seen his reputation in coaching circles take a couple of hefty blows. He lasted just 83 days alongside NFL legend Tom Brady at Birmingham, before taking in only 25 games as boss at Plymouth.

Rooney has returned to punditry since leaving Home Park, but has left himself open to offers regarding another stint in the dugout. It could be that he is back on the touchline at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

Huddersfield Town find themselves in the market for a new permanent manager after parting company with Michael Duff. A role with the League One club would allow Rooney to rebuild his reputation, while remaining close to wife Coleen and their four children at a family base in Cheshire.

Former EFL star Joe Jacobson, who knows all about life in the third tier, has told Football League World: "Huddersfield are a huge club, but for some reason, I think they got rid of Michael Duff far too soon. I think he's proven he's a good manager, especially at that level, and you can see what's happened at the club and the direction they have gone in since he left.

"It's very difficult for [interim boss] Jon Worthington to take on that team when they are low on confidence and expect players to step up, especially when the season is petering out for them.

"Wayne Rooney has football in his blood and he's desperate to succeed somewhere as a manager, but he's not quite been able to do that just yet. I do think at some point he will succeed.

"Is Huddersfield the right fit? I'm not sure, you'd have to speak to Wayne Rooney, but I do believe that at some point, he will be successful as a manager."

Huddersfield appeared destined to secure a play-off berth for long periods in the 2024-25 campaign, but a run of five successive defeats - and seven in their last eight - mean that they are destined to remain in League One next season.