Former England, Man United Forward Wayne Rooney Named DC United Coach

Manchester United's record goal-scorer Wayne Rooney has been appointed head coach of Major League Soccer side DC United, the club announced on Tuesday.

The former England forward spent 18 months at DC United and captained the side before joining Derby as a player-coach in January 2020.

Rooney went on to manage the club through a period when they were in administration and was in charge as they were relegated to League One last season.

This will be Rooney's second job in management after he left Derby County last month and he rejected criticism at his return to the American club.

"I've seen a few articles, certainly back in England, on this being a possible backward step in my managerial career.

"I really find that a bit disrespectful to this league," the 36-year old stated.

DC United have been without a manager since April, are second bottom of the Eastern Conference and were beaten 7-0 by Philadelphia Union on Friday.

Rooney was put in interim charge of Derby in November 2020 with the club bottom of the Championship after they parted company with Phillip Cocu.

He was confirmed in the post on a two-and-half-year contract three months later, a decision which prompted him to confirm his retirement as a player.

Derby entered administration in September 2021 and last season were relegated from the Championship, having been docked 21 points throughout the season.

The finished seven points from safety and, if the points deduction had not been imposed, they would have stayed up in 17th place.

The former Everton forward, who made his professional debut for the Toffees in August 2002 aged just 16, then quit Derby on 24 June.