Wayne Rooney should take a job at Manchester City, despite his Manchester United past, in the wake of his recent dismissal from Plymouth.
That’s according to former footballer Don Goodman, who thinks the 39-year-old should learn from Pep Guardiola over at the Etihad Stadium.
Rooney only took charge of Plymouth back in the summer following a dismal stint with Birmingham.
He was sacked on New Year’s Eve, however, with the Championship side deciding to part ways after a torrid season.
Wayne Rooney was sacked by Plymouth on New Year’s Eve after a nightmare season with the Championship side
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Rooney, as a player, established himself as one of the best in the world during a glittering career that saw him turn out for the likes of United, Everton, DC United and Derby County.
As a manager, however, he’s struggled to prove himself with his reputation currently in tatters.
Rooney previously joked about working under Guardiola but any move to City would be a controversial one, given his United past.
Yet Goodman, speaking to Plejmo.com, thinks it is something the 39-year-old should consider despite the obvious backlash he’d receive.
“I remember him joking about going to Manchester City and learning from Pep Guardiola previously,” he said.
“It sounds funny but it wouldn’t be the worst idea, would it when you look at what Mikel Arteta [Arsenal manager] and Enzo Maresca [Chelsea manager] learned?!
“Obviously, that’s probably a non-starter but Coleen’s been in the jungle so they might want to take some family time.
“He was an excellent as a pundit in the summer at the Euro’s and I’d imagine people would like to see him do it again.
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“My best guess though, is that he’d like to get back in football in a ‘hands-on’ capacity.”
The Plymouth job was always going to be a tough one for Rooney.
The Pilgrims narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship last term and, with limited resources at their disposal, were destined to be up against it.
And Goodman says he feels sympathy for Rooney while claiming it’s ‘difficult to see where he goes next’.
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“I do feel sorry for Wayne Rooney,” he said.
“The four jobs he’s had have all been challenging in different ways.
“Derby were in administration and suffered points deductions, it didn’t go well for him in the MLS at D.C United, and it was the wrong time for him to join Birmingham after John Eustace left and he was on the backfoot with an initial set of difficult games.
“The Plymouth job then came up, and it’s always a huge challenge with Plymouth Argyle to survive in the Championship with their resources.
Wayne Rooney’s sacking from Plymouth followed a dire stint in charge of Birmingham
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“Every role he’s taken has been a really difficult one. It’s difficult to see where he goes next.
“I understand the decision (Rooney’s departure). Plymouth suffered some terrible away defeats with no quality and, more worryingly, no fight.
“They scored just three and conceded 35 goals in his 13 away games at Plymouth which is embarrassing, really. Something had to be done and I think Wayne knew that too.
“I get the feeling he’d like to stay involved in football but might need some time out. Perhaps he could go somewhere as a number two? It’s hard to see him getting a manager role at any high level in the immediate future.”