Wayne Rooney has opened up about his plans for next season amid suggestions he could return to the dugout following his appearance at Soccer Aid. The ex-Manchester United ace has been out of coaching work since being let go by Plymouth Argyle in the winter, having previously had stints at Birmingham City and Derby County.
Ahead of the upcoming campaign, Rooney has been touted as a potential managerial option for clubs in the EFL, including Cambridge United and Blackburn Rovers. But according to the former England international, his focus is expected to remain on television punditry work.
Rooney joined the Amazon Prime team for their Champions League coverage and when asked about his immediate future, he told talkSPORT: "Obviously just doing some TV work at the minute, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m enjoying it. So, that’s where I’ll be."
That doesn’t mean to say Rooney would turn down a management opportunity if it came his way, with the ex-England skipper having admitted he plans to return to coaching one day. Speaking on the Stick to Football Podcast earlier this year, he explained: "I would like to go back in [to management]. But it would have to be the right club. Certainly the right club.
"I think you always have that ego, don't you? You always have that confidence you could go in and get the best out of a bad or difficult situation. Obviously, that wasn't the case [at Plymouth]. I am going to enjoy time with my family, though."
The 39-year-old was speaking while taking part in Soccer Aid at Old Trafford, with the Stretford End favourite having rolled back the years during the exhibition match. Rooney netted the fastest-ever goal in Soccer Aid history, nestling an effort past one-time team-mate Edwin van der Sar.
England, who Rooney was representing, went on to lose 5-4 against a World XI made up of former professionals and celebrity personalities. When quizzed about the match itself, he said: "We knew it was always going to be a tough game.
“They had some really good players in the team. But I thought it was a good game for everyone who came to watch. Unfortunately we didn’t win, obviously that was the fun but the main reason we’re all here today is to try and raise money."
Over £15million was raised for the children’s charity UNICEF, with musician Big Zuu having scored the winning goal for World XI.