Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has opened up about how his management career affected his family life
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 4: Wayne Rooney looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 4, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney opened up about his time in management(Image: Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has opened up about how management left him with barely any time to spend with his children. After retiring from an illustrious playing career in 2021, the former England captain followed the well-trodden path into coaching.
His final playing stint came at Derby County, where he transitioned into the manager's role upon retirement. Rooney then spent just over a year at the helm of DC United in the United States, before returning to England for spells with Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle.
His tenure at Birmingham proved particularly brief, ending in dismissal during early 2024, whilst his Plymouth chapter concluded later that same year.
Speaking on The Smith Bros podcast, Rooney admitted: "I didn't see my kids for months and months when I was living in DC and at Plymouth, I lived there by myself - you'd see them if you were lucky, once a week.
"Going into the punditry work, it's not as 'every day'. Obviously with match days or weekends (it's busier), Amazon's every Tuesday, fly out Monday, fly home Wednesday, which is three days."
Wayne Rooney
Rooney was at the helm for DC United between 2022 and 2023(Image: Getty)
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He added: "I just do my podcast from home. I've got more time now to go and watch my kids play and be around that more so I'm happy with it."
Following the conclusion of his tenure at Plymouth, Rooney has transitioned into punditry, collaborating with various broadcasters whilst also fronting his own BBC programme - The Wayne Rooney Show.
As the Evertonian outlined, this shift into media work enables him to dedicate more time to his family, despite maintaining a packed schedule.
Rooney shares four sons with his wife Colleen - who finished as runner-up in the 2024 series of I'm A Celeb. Kai, aged 16, is currently developing through the United academy, forging his own path in the game.
Wayne Rooney, Kai Rooney and Coleen Rooney
Wayne Rooney, Kai Rooney and Coleen Rooney(Image: Photo by JMEnternational/Getty Images)
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The other three boys are Klay, Kit and Cass, with Kit being the only one who has stepped away from football. Klay follows in brother Kai's footsteps at United whilst Cass is progressing through the Everton academy.
During the podcast, Rooney also discussed Kai's footballing journey. His eldest child with Colleen landed a boot sponsorship deal at just 12 years old back in 2022, though he's unable to showcase them whilst representing United due to academy regulations.
Rooney clarified: "He's obviously with Puma but when he plays for the Manchester United U16s, something which I really like is he can't wear his Puma boots. All the academy have to wear the same boots.
They do it because there's people from areas where they can't afford certain boots so I think it's really good. But he's played for the U18s a few times and he can then wear his Puma boots. He's doing well to be fair to him."