Wayne Rooney’s ‘aspiration is to manage at an elite European club,’ claims MLS experience helps

DC United boss Wayne Rooney has admitted he has his sights set high as he’s targeting a managerial job at an elite European side in the future. 

The 37-year-old returned to the MLS last summer to take charge of DC United after playing for the American team from 2018-2019 and now he’s set to coach the All-Stars team in its matchup against Arsenal in the nation’s capital on July 19. 

The former Manchester United and Everton forward has claimed his experience coaching in the MLS with both DC United and the All-Stars has stood him in good stead to take the step up to tackling Europe’s upper echelons. 

‘Occasions like the All-Star Game remind me why I chose to continue my journey as a coach here in MLS,’ Rooney said in a column for mlssoccer.com. 

‘My aspiration is to manage at an elite European club someday, and in those environments you’re working with very diverse teams, with elite professionals from all over the world. I’ve found I could actually get that experience here, which helps me a lot. 

DC United boss Wayne Rooney has admitted he aspires to manage an elite European club

‘At DC United, for example, we’ve got players from more than a dozen nations, representing different cultures, religions, and backgrounds. So there’s different challenges and lessons to be gained from that, and working with the All-Stars, the very best MLS has to offer, adds to that immensely. 

‘Like me, I know my United players Christian Benteke and Tyler Miller are excited to represent our club.’ 

Before coming Stateside, the former England captain got his managerial start with Derby County where, despite an admirable job, he couldn’t save the team from relegation after the club was hit with a 21-point deduction by the English Football League after it entered administration. 

Leaving his post at the English club, Rooney was linked with several other jobs – most notably with his boyhood club, Everton. 

But he snubbed them all in favor of returning to the US and taking charge of a seemingly sinking ship.

The day before he was appointed DC United had suffered its worst-ever MLS loss and was sitting second-bottom of the Eastern Conference, eventually finishing last.  

But this season, Rooney has managed to steer his team to ninth, occupying the last spot for the final series play-offs as the postseason looms.  

However, despite favoring a return to MLS, the Manchester United legend admitted he didn’t always understand the importance off the All-Star game. 

DC United’s Christian Benteke (L) and Tyler Miller (R) were picked for the All-Stars game 

The former England captain got his managerial start with Derby County before coming to MLS

He took part in his first All-Stars game with the Red Devils in 2011 and confessed he ‘had no idea what a big occasion it was.’

He then got to experience the event from the other side as an MLS player in 2019 when he represented DC United. Now manager of the capital’s team, he’ll be involved once again as the coach of the All-Stars side. 

‘I’d never really watched other sports’ all-star games before, and there’s nothing like it back home in England,’ he said. 

‘Obviously the All-Star Game itself isn’t quite as serious as a league match between clubs, it’s a sort of game where you can actually come have fun and enjoy it a little bit more, and maybe provide a different kind of entertainment. 

The former forward took part in his first All-Star game with Manchester United in 2011

Rooney was reunited with old teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic (second right) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (far right) for the All-Stars exhibition game in 2019 as a  DC United player

‘[…] my job first and foremost is to make things as comfortable and enjoyable for the players as I possibly can, as they travel from all over the continent to have this experience here in Washington. I keep saying it because it’s true: The last thing you want to do is come to one of these games and not enjoy yourself. So, we’ll try to do everything the right way.’

Rooney’s roster of All-Stars will take on Premier League side Arsenal in a one-off exhibition game at Audi Field in Washington, DC on July 19.

Rooney picked 12 of the players on this roster with another 12 being voted on by the fans, the media, and players. 

The final two spots were picked by MLS Commissioner Don Garber to round out a roster of 26 players.