Wayne Rooney is appointed as new manager of MLS side DC United

Wayne Rooney has made a swift return to management after being named as the new head coach of his former club DC United.

The 36-year-old left Derby last month following a tumultuous spell where his own stock improved despite chaos off the pitch at the Rams.

The former England, Manchester United and Everton striker has wasted no time being out of the game, although he will have to wait for completion of a visa application to formally take up his new role back in Washington, where he enjoyed a two-year playing spell.

‘DC United announced today that Wayne Rooney has been named as the club’s new head coach,’ the Major League Soccer club said in a statement.

‘Interim head coach Chad Ashton will remain in charge of the team until Wayne Rooney has received his work visa.’

Rooney, 36, played for DC United in 2018 and 2019, scoring 25 goals in 52 matches.

The MLS side tweeted: ‘Welcome back, Wayne. The club is excited to announce @WayneRooney as the new head coach of D.C. United.’

Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, co-chairmen of DC United, said in a joint-statement on the club’s official website: ‘Wayne is a soccer legend and one of the most exciting and dynamic up-and-coming managers in our sport. He’s already proven in his young coaching career that he knows how to lead a group through adversity. 

‘He has an understanding of our league and what it takes to be successful in Major League Soccer thanks to his two-year stay with us as a player. The passion he showed while wearing Black-and-Red electrified our city and our club and we are so excited to welcome him back as our Head Coach.’ 

More to follow