D.C. United and coach Wayne Rooney have agreed to part ways, the club announced Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Rooney was hired as coach on July 12, 2022, after a two-year stint as manager of Derby County in the English Championship.
- D.C. United missed the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, finishing with a 10-10-14 record and 40 total points.
- Rooney appeared in 48 matches, scoring 23 goals and 15 assists as a player with D.C. United.
Was this a surprise?
Not entirely. From Rooney’s point of view, D.C. was always a waypoint, part of a longer-term plan to someday coach in the Premier League. Things did not play out as planned for Rooney — the goal was always to make the playoffs, and D.C. likely should’ve qualified for them, given their roster and the amount of money the club has spent on players.
In Rooney’s eyes, his time in D.C. was still crucial to his development. After the match, he spoke of the challenges of navigating a few “complicated situations” during his tenure, likely referring to the departure of Taxi Fountas this year after allegations of racial abuse. Navigating MLS’ travel and weather challenges and learning to play with a back five also pushed Rooney to grow as a manager, he said.
Those moments of personal and professional growth are important, but this is an undeniably disappointing end to his time in D.C. — Pablo Maurer, MLS staff writer
Where does this leave D.C. United?
Rooney’s tenure did not work out well for United, and in a way, this is an ideal outcome for the club, timing-wise at least. The club is still actively in talks to sign a new general manager and executives at the club would like whomever they hire in that position to have the primary say in who D.C.’s next coach is.
With their season officially over, United have a full offseason, down to the day, to lock down two competent candidates. Whoever succeeds Rooney will be the club’s fourth coach in as many years. — Maurer
What they’re saying
“We have spoken with Wayne and agreed it is best for us to part ways at this time,” Jason Levien, D.C. United CEO and co-chairman, said in a statement Saturday. “This decision creates the avenue for our next general manager to have the full opportunity to impart a new philosophy and structure onto our sporting operations, which begins with the critical identification of a head coach who will best align with this.”
Following Saturday’s match against New York City FC, Rooney said “it’s the right time” to leave D.C. United.
“I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs,” Rooney said. “It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing.”
Rooney said he grew “quite a lot” as a manager during his time at D.C. United. He pointed to a few complicated situations as a learning experience and said playing with a back five was also a learning experience.
His departure comes amid persistent reports of interest from Birmingham City, who lie sixth in the Sky Bet Championship, England’s second tier. They have started the new season promisingly under coach John Eustace but rumors have persisted following the recent investment by the America-based Shelby Companies Limited group with NFL legend Tom Brady a minority investor.
“What lies ahead, I don’t know,” Rooney said on Saturday evening. “I’ve seen a lot of reports in the media. I’m going back with nothing lined up.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here. It will help me a lot moving forward as a coach. I just want to say on record to everyone involved, the club, staff, players, I’m grateful and I wish them nothing but success in the future.”
Required reading
- Wayne Rooney – The Ornstein interview: Glazers, Kane, Greenwood, Messi, MLS, Everton and more
- Wayne Rooney discusses D.C. United’s growth, MLS officiating, Ted Lasso and Apple TV+
- Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer visits D.C. United
- MLS coaching carousel: Latest on Timbers, Revolution, Fire, Rapids, Red Bulls and more
(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)