Predecessor John Eustace clearly did not fulfil the brief and was ruthlessly jettisoned despite guiding the Blues to sixth place. No pressure there, then.
"I love the challenge," Rooney insisted at Thursday's unveiling. "I love the pressure of it. That is something I have dealt with since I was a young kid, coming through from 16 years of age." Indeed it is, yet those who observed Rooney during his two spells at DC United - first as a player and then as head coach - will tell you he also relished the opportunity to eat, drink and be merry away from the spotlight's glare.
What the MLS also provided was time. Upon his arrival in Washington in July last year, Rooney was handed an 18-month contract.
With the club at a historically low ebb, there was never any prospect of the deal being terminated, giving the former Manchester United and England man time to craft a squad and impose a style he could truly call his own.
Speaking on Thursday about what Blues fans could expect from his side, Rooney referenced the club's 'no fear' imperative.
"In terms of how I want my team to play, I want them to be brave," he said. "These are messages I have given to my players at Derby County and DC United.
"I want them to take risks. I want them to play forwards. We have got really good attacking players in this squad, so we have to use them. We have to get them the ball, we have to get crosses into the box and back it up.
"It's a mindset, a mentality of when you get the ball, what are you going to do with it? "Are you going to pass it on to your team-mate and let him make a decision or are you going to take a decision yourself? That's a message I really try to get into my players.
"Ultimately, I want this team to mirror me as a player. It's hard work, it's dedication, it's taking risks, being creative, but also a style of play which is exciting and entertaining for the fans.
Denne historien er fra October 15, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 15, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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FUMING GRANT'S BLAST PAYS OFF
CHOICE words from Grant McCann at half-time did the trick as Doncaster Rovers came back to secure a point against classy Notts County.
BOSS MARTI'S ON A MISSION TO RESCUE R'S ALL OVER AGAIN
ARTI Cifuentes proved he was up for a challenge when he took the manager’s job at QPR just over a year ago.
HUSTLE FROM RUSSELL NETS DERBY SPOILS
HEAD coach Darrell Clarke praised goalscorer Jon Russell as his Barnsley side earned all three points in a home victory over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
DAVIES AGONY AS BLUES BLOW IT
ADEJECTED Chris Davies gave a bleak assessment of his Birmingham City side’s draw against Northampton Town.
WARNOCK: ONLY A GAME? IT'S LIFE OR DEATH IN SHEFFIELD!
JUST another game? Don’t pull that one on Neil Warnock, a Sheffield native, boyhood Blade and managerial veteran of nine Steel City derbies.
BISHOP AT THE HEART OF POMPEY WIN
COLBY Bishop’s spectacular return after heart surgery was a well-kept secret, said Portsmouth manager John Mousinho.
ACE VAKOUN CLEANS UP FOR THE HORNETS
VAKOUN Bayo took the plaudits once more after his goal sunk Oxford on Friday.
ANDI'S AT DOUBLE TO SPARK AWAY JOY
BLACKBURN Rovers boss John Eustace believes his team gave a text-book performance to get a first away win of the league season at Cardiff.
COV CATCH BLACK CATS NAPPING
SUNDERLAND head coach Regis le Bris was frustrated his players couldn’t build on two moments of first half magic that should have seen off managerless Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.
FARKE: WE HAVE THE WINNING MENTALITY TO STAY COURSE
Pressure mounts on Hoops manager
