Wayne Rooney Set For Shock Return To Management After Derby County Departure

Wayne Rooney is being lined up for a shock return to the MLS with his former club DC United reportedly considering appointing him as head coach.

Rooney, 36, has been without a role since resigning as manager of Derby County last month in the wake of their relegation to League One.

Despite failing to beat the drop last season, Rooney won plaudits for his work at Pride Park under difficult circumstances.

According to the Daily Mail, DC United are now considering a reunion with the former Everton and Manchester United striker, who spent two years with the club prior to joining Derby.

Rooney is said to be open to returning to the United States to further his managerial career.

DC United have been without a head coach since sacking Hernan Losada in April, with Chad Ashton appointed as interim manager.

United are currently second bottom of the Eastern Conference after suffering nine defeats in 16 games.

Rooney had a successful two-year spell at DC United between 2018 and 2020, scoring 25 goals in 52 games for the Washington side.

Rooney spent two years at DC United as a player (Image: Alamy)

However, his family reportedly struggled to settle in the United States and Rooney later moved back to the UK to join Derby.

While Rooney may be keen to return to US, it remains to be seen whether his wife Coleen Rooney would agree to the move.

In texts sent to Rebekah Vardy in 2018, which came to light during the recent 'Wagatha Christie' trial, Coleen Rooney described Washington as being "behind" the UK.

"Washington isn't the best....nice to visit but different to live. Not loads for the kids to do, mostly park, hardly any soft plays and things like that," wrote Rooney.

"It's quite behind the UK, which I never would have though. But we will get used to it (I hope).

The MLS side is reportedly considering making him head coach (Image: Alamy)

"Wayne is loving it, and the kids are fine, settled into school straight away. So really happy they are fine. Thanks for the message love xx."

If Rooney is appointed by DC United, he could come up against his former Manchester United teammate Phil Neville, who is currently head coach of Inter Miami - the franchise partly owned by David Beckham.

The two teams are due to face each other at United's Audi Field stadium on September 18.

Topics: Wayne Rooney, DC United, Football, MLS, Manchester United, Everton, Derby County

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan