(Football news) England record goalscorer Wayne Rooney will be returning to Major League Soccer club DC United, this time as the new head coach. The 36 year old recently resigned from Derby County in what can only be described as a turbulent time for the club after going through administration and being relegated to League One. Rooney spent 18 months at DC United as a player before joining Derby County as a player – coach in January 2020. 

DC United have been without a manager since April and are currently second bottom of the Eastern Conference, having recently been humiliated 7-0 by Philadelphia Union. Rooney is expected to be unveiled as the new DC United head coach today and will be a replacement for Hernan Losada who was fired in April. Since then, the club has been under the stewardship of interim manager Chad Ashton. However, poor results have meant that DC United are level on points with Chicago for the fewest points in the MLS, 17 in 17 matches.

A move to the MLS after managing a Championship side appears to be a backward step for Rooney’s managerial career. The 36 year old built a good reputation in English football despite the circumstances at Pride Park and his long-term ambitions are undoubtedly in the Premier League, especially as manager of Manchester United. Remaining in England would have given him more credibility as a manager than moving to the MLS where the standard of football is notably lower. It can be argued that staying at Derby County in League One would have also been a better move than going to DC United as Rooney could have helped the club get back into the Championship. 

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