Wayne Rooney to make first major decision as Plymouth manager involving 'highly-rated' player

Wayne Rooney is pushing to make his first major decision as Plymouth Argyle manager, just days after penning a three-year contract at the Championship club.

The 38-year-old, who has succeeded Ian Foster at Home Park after he was sacked in April, will be aiming to bounce back following a disastrous 83-day spell in charge of Birmingham City.

Rooney described the Devon-based club as being "on an exciting long-term journey" – and the former Manchester United striker is already getting to work ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

According to reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Rooney is keen to hold talks with their highly-rated goalkeeper Mike Cooper after the 24-year-old goalkeeper was linked with a move away.

Cooper, who has suffered a number of unfortunate injuries over the past year, remains a crucial member of the Plymouth squad.

He returned to the first-team fold in March after recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injury and played a key role in the Pilgrims' fight against relegation.

Since making his debut against Blackburn Rovers in 2017, the goalkeeper has made 170 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club.

Rooney is clearly a big fan of Cooper, who could be the subject of 'significant interest' from Championship clubs, according to Football League World.

Speaking after his appointment at Plymouth, an enthusiastic Rooney opened up on his latest role.

"It feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the chairman and board for the faith they have shown in me," he said.

“This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.

“I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park. The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.

“I can’t wait for the Championship season to start in August.”

The gaffer is here! 👋@WayneRooney | #pafc pic.twitter.com/6yitq0J4LK

— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) May 27, 2024

Andrew Parkinson, who is Argyle's chief executive, described Rooney as someone who will bring a wealth of football experience to "an ambitious, forward-thinking and well-managed" club.

“As conversations advanced, it was clear there was a natural alignment in our footballing ideals and the best way to take the club forward," he added.

“When you have positive conversations like that it is a perfect match, and we believe Wayne is the ideal person to help the club on its next five-year journey.

“Focus will now switch to strengthening the squad ahead of next season, with our recruitment team working hard behind the scenes and Wayne will be an important contributor to that work.”