Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Wayne Rooney, Football, Manchester United
Ben McCrum
The bizarre question that landed Wayne Rooney the job as manager of the Plymouth Argyle has resurfaced following the announcement that he had been sacked.
After a miserable nine-game winless run, Plymouth Argyle confirmed that Rooney had left his role as manager by mutual agreement on Tuesday morning.
The Manchester United manager was appointed as manager of the club in May, signing a three-year deal, but has now left the job after just seven months.
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And following the announcement, details of the strange question that led to Rooney being handed the job at Plymouth have resurfaced.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in August, Plymouth Argyle director of football Neil Dewsnip offered insight into the process that led to Rooney's appointment three months prior.
“This is a coup — it isn’t a gamble. We have done our research and Wayne was selected after a thorough process as the best candidate," said Dewsnip.
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“He was asked during his interview in May about relationships and dealing with staff. The chairman asked him what members of staff he knew at Derby outside the football set-up, and straightaway he told him the name of a groundsman and the laundry lady.
"He’s got great people skills and that’s important to us."
Despite Dewsnip's optimistic outlook on the future of the club under Rooney, it all came crashing down after the English manager led the Championship club through a terrible first half of the 2024/25 season.
After 23 matches, Plymouth have collected just 18 points in the English second division, with their last win being the 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at the start of November.
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But after Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Oxford United, the Plymouth board finally decided that it was time to part ways with the 39-year-old manager.
A club statement read: "Plymouth Argyle can confirm that the club and Head Coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. Departing the club with Rooney will be Assistant Head Coach Mike Phelan and first team coach Simon Ireland."
Reacting to the news, Rooney said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, in particular Simon Hallett and Neil Dewsnip who I shared great relationships with.
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"Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as Head Coach and I wish them all the best for the future."