Pilgrims gearing up for Wayne Rooney era

Argyle reporter Chris Errington answers your questions about the Greens

- Chris Errington

IT will not be long before the build-up to Plymouth Argyle’s 2024/25 Championship campaign starts to ramp up. The fixture lists for each of the 72 EFL clubs will be released at 9am on Wednesday, June 26.

Then the following Tuesday (July 2), the Pilgrims’ players will report for the start of pre-season training. Of course, that will be under the guidance of new head coach Wayne Rooney.

The appointment of Manchester United’s record goalscorer and one of England’s greatest players created huge interest and comment after it was announced.

The 38-year-old has had already spells at Derby County, DC United in the USA and Birmingham City at the start of his managerial career and after difficult times at all of them he needs his time at Home Park to be a success.

Coaches Kevin Nancekivell, Simon Ireland and Darryl Flahavan have all remained in their roles at Argyle, and on Wednesday Argyle named Pete Shuttleworth as assistant to Wayne Rooney at Home Park after previously working for him at Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City.

Argyle have already confirmed Nathanael Ogbeta as their first signing of the summer, with the 23-year-old joining from Swansea City, and there are likely to be plenty more comings and goings in the weeks ahead.

Pilgrim61 asks: I think many fans have positively come round to the Rooney appointment. Although he will have a home in the area we know his main home and kids will be in Cheshire. He is clearly driven to succeed, but with a reported personal wealth of £200 million why do you think he really wants to put him and his family through this challenge and inevitable pressure?