Wayne Rooney is headed back to D.C. United and MLS.
The longtime Manchester United and English soccer star has agreed to terms with D.C. United to become its next head coach, according to multiple reports on Sunday night.
Rooney won’t coach until his Visa is sorted, of course. Unclear to me how long that will take but it won’t be Wednesday.
— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) July 11, 2022
Specifics of Rooney’s deal are not yet known, and the team declined to comment to The Washington Post. A deal is expected to be announced in the coming days.
D.C. United is apparently ready to pay Rooney more than $1 million per season, per The Washington Post, which will set a franchise record.
Rooney spent two seasons playing for D.C. United in 2018 and 2019, where he scored 23 goals in 48 matches. He had planned to play a third season for the team, but his family wanted to return home to England — which prompted the early split.
The 36-year-old most recently played for and managed Derby County in League One in England, but he stepped down last month after the club was relegated to the third division. Rooney retired from playing in January 2021.
Rooney will replace interim coach Chad Ashton in D.C. Ashton was tabbed to replace coach Hernan Losada just six games into the season. Ashton will continue to lead the team until Rooney receives his work permit, per The Washington Post, which can take up to three weeks. Until then, Rooney will serve as a consultant.
D.C. United currently holds a 5-10-2 record with 17 points, which is tied for the fewest in MLS. The club most recently fell to the Philadelphia Union 7-0 on Friday, and is set to host Columbus FC on Wednesday. D.C. United hasn’t made the playoffs since Rooney’s final year with the team.
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