Wayne Rooney explains how he will approach trying to get Plymouth Argyle to the Premier League as the Man United legend insists he’s ready to prove himself as a manager
- Wayne Rooney was appointed as the new manager of Plymouth Argyle in May
- Rooney’s first official press conference as Plymouth manager took place on Thursday
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: How big a risk is it for England to play with three men at the back?
Wayne Rooney expressed his determination to prove himself as a manager on Thursday when he was officially presented by Plymouth.
The former England captain was appointed by the Sky Bet Championship club in May.
Rooney had previously been Birmingham manager for just three months.
The 38-year-old was sacked by the Blues in January, just 83 days into a spell in which he was responsible for nine defeats in 15 games.
Birmingham were sixth in the Championship at the time of Rooney’s appointment, but the club finished the season relegated.
Wayne Rooney held his first press conference as Plymouth Argyle manager on Thursday
Rooney has previously been manager of three other clubs: Derby, DC United and Birmingham
He has not yet had great success as a manager, but he has achieved legendary status as a player
The former Manchester United and Everton striker, who previously managed Derby and DC United, wants to put that experience behind him.
Rooney told reporters at a press conference: ‘You always have to prove yourself. I think I’ve done that for 20 years as a player and as a coach, wherever you are, whatever job you have, you have to prove yourself. That’s normal, that’s a pressure that comes with the job.
‘And of course, when you go to work, you open yourself up. If you don’t get results, then of course there are consequences, which was the case in Birmingham.
“But now that I’m here, I’m ready. I’m excited.
“I’ve thought a lot about what happened in Birmingham. Sometimes things happen for a reason. The good thing that’s come out of it is that I’m here now and I’m here to succeed. I really believe in that.
“I’m a confident person and I support myself to do that. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”
Plymouth finished 21st in the EFL Championship last season, just two points ahead
But Rooney hopes that, given time, he can take Plymouth to a much higher position
Rooney succeeds Ian Foster, who was sacked in April when the Pilgrims were in danger of relegation.
Argyle survived the final day of the season, while Birmingham were relegated to the Third Division.
Rooney hopes to lead the club to the top division, but admits this is a longer-term ambition.
He said: ‘Of course I’m not going to just say we want to be in the Premier League within a year.
“We think we have to be realistic and try to build on what the club has stood for over the last five years, a period in which the club has grown and improved.
‘I think we have to keep moving forward step by step and keep trying to improve ourselves, definitely better than last season.
‘Hopefully by the end of the time frame we’ve set we can get closer to the Premier League.’