Wayne Rooney reportedly announced Saturday night he will be stepping down as head coach of D.C. United, according to Pablo Iglesias of The Athletic. The news come after the team’s 2-0 win over New York City, yet still not enough to clinch an MLS postseason spot.
Rooney, 37, admitted he has grown “quite a lot” while coaching D.C. United and pointed to a some struggles as learning experiences, such as playing with a back five.
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Why is Wayne Rooney quitting on D.C. United?
“It’s the right time [to leave D.C. United],” Rooney said. “I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing.”
Rooney, who became head coach of D.C. United in July 2022, revealed he has no other job lined up and thanked the staff and players.
“What lies ahead, I don’t know. I’ve seen a lot of reports in the media. I’m going back with nothing lined up,” Rooney said. “I want to say on record to everyone involved in the club. Staff, players: I’m grateful.”