'That's Wayne Rooney's last job in football' - Man Utd legend told to 'retire & return his coaching licence' after Plymouth axing as Birmingham fans aim 'we all warned you' jibe at Championship strugglers

On the final day of the year, Plymouth finally decided to sack manager Rooney after a series of poor results in the Championship in the 2024-25 campaign. The Pilgrims won just four of their first 23 matches in the Championship under the Manchester United legend and currently find themselves at the bottom of the league table. The final blow came last weekend when Plymouth lost to Oxford United 2-0, after which they decided to end their association with the 39-year-old.

Fans were quick to react to the ex-England captain's sacking as they mocked his coaching journey so far. Birmingham fans also reminded Plymouth that they had warned them about Rooney's track record as a head coach.

An X handle named Sample wrote: "This man should just retire and return his coaching licence."

A fan named Dean wrote: "That’s Rooney's last job in football who ever appointed him deserves the sack as well."

James Hamilton advised Rooney to quit football management as he said: "If I was him I would call it a day in management and become a regular on the overlap."

A handle named Voodoo said in a message to the Plymouth board: "You had all the warnings and ignored them. Then you delayed this by at least a month, so we're literally 24 hours away from the transfer window without a coach. Absolute cluster-F."

A Birmingham fan mocked Plymouth by writing: "Why would you even give him the job to begin with? We all warned you. You seen it for yourself too?"

An X handle named AJ added: "If he ever gets a job in coaching ever again serious questions need to be asked."

The former Red Devils forward has endured a frustrating journey as a manager. He first took charge of Derby County in the 2020-21 season and by the summer of 2022, the club faced relegation from the Championship. His second stint at D.C. United lasted two seasons and in his final year at the club, the team finished at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference. He then moved back to the Championship and took over at Birmingham City but that spell lasted just 83 days, and the Blues were eventually relegated to League One in the 2023-24 campaign.

Plymouth, who are winless in their last nine outings, will be next seen in action on January 1 as they face Bristol City, with first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell and club captain Joe Edwards set to lead the squad in that crucial fixture as the hunt for Rooney's permanent successor gets underway.