PLYMOUTH Argyle sprang a big surprise early in the close season when they appointed Wayne Rooney as their new head coach.
Former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom had been the bookies’ favourite to take over at Home Park before the club opted for Rooney after he impressed the Pilgrims’ powers-that-be when they interviewed him in London. It is fair to say the initial reaction among the Green Army to the news was quite negative, largely because Rooney had a short-lived, unsuccessful spell at Birmingham City last season.
Birmingham, under new American owners, replaced John Eustace last October with Rooney in what was intended to be a high profile appointment.
At the time, City were in a play-off position. However, they lost nine and won only two of their 15 games under Rooney before he was sacked at the start of January.
Birmingham ended up being relegated to League One while Argyle stayed up by a single point, and now Rooney has been charged with the task of making sure they continue to build themselves up as an established Championship side.
The England legend is now onto his fourth club in management since getting his first opportunity in the role at Derby County in 2020 and needs for it to be a success at Argyle for his own sake too.
On the face of it, the appointment of Rooney is a risky one for the Pilgrims given what happened under his leadership at Birmingham, but there were a number of possible factors for his struggles at St Andrews.
Firstly, Rooney replaced the popular Eustace, who had moulded a squad into a very effective unit and they were enjoying a good run of results.
Rooney has admitted since taking over at Argyle that he never felt the Birmingham fans took to him, and the City players must have questioned the change at the top too.
This story is from the August 08, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 08, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Dominant Parkway are still seeking first win
YELLOWS ARE UNABLE TO TURN THEIR POSSESSION INTO POINTS
Leach admits Services suffer a rude awakening in Nat Two
DEVONPORT Services lost 40-22 at Bournville on their National Two West debut following promotion from South West One.
Economic change is needed not 'shouting at foreigners' says Tory leadership hopeful
TOM Tugendhat (right) said the UK needs a 'Conservative revolution', including higher wages and lower migration, rather than 'shouting at foreigners from the white cliffs'.
New 'bus revolution' will save vital routes
MEASURES to empower local leaders to take control of bus services have been unveiled by the Government.
Over 50s wanted to fill 400 jobs at hotel chain in UK
HOTEL chain Hilton is targeting over 50-year-olds looking to get back to work to help fill almost 400 job vacancies across the UK.
'Broken but not beaten'
HEALTH Secretary Wes Streeting has said the NHS is 'broken but not beaten, as he defended plans to utilise the private sector to improve outcomes.
'I won't change policies one bit as result of the summer riots'
SIR Keir Starmer has insisted he will not let violence dictate Government policy following the summer riots and shared concerns about 'snake oil' promises from the far right across Europe.
King remembers late Queen on anniversary
THE King attended church near Balmoral yesterday for prayers and reflection in memory of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on the second anniversary of her death.
Pope urges 'end to violence'
POPE Francis travelled to the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea yesterday to celebrate the Catholic Church in the Pacific nation, taking with him a ton of medicine, musical instruments and a message of love for the people who live there.
Flats plan for pub is resubmitted by owner
CAMPAIGNING RESIDENTS FACE NEW FIGHT TO SAVE IT
