Wayne Rooney and D.C. United have agreed on terms to become the club’s newest manager, sources confirmed to The Athletic.
Rooney, who only recently stepped aside from English Championship side Derby County after a tumultuous 18-month run as the club’s manager, has been in talks with United about a potential move for “weeks,” multiple sources said on Sunday evening. As a player, Rooney captained D.C. United during a memorable stay in 2018-19 before cutting his contract short to move to Derby.
In D.C., Rooney inherits a team in disarray. Under the leadership of current interim head coach Chad Ashton, D.C. sit in 13th place in MLS’ Eastern Conference and are fresh off a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of the Philadelphia Union that ranks as the club’s most lopsided loss in history. Ashton, who took the reins after United parted ways with former head coach Hernán Losada earlier this year, was intended to guide the club through the end of this season at a minimum, but that may change.
During his time as a player, Rooney seemed like he might prove instrumental in guiding United — once among the most successful franchises in MLS history — back to relevance and success. The club has floundered since his departure, failing to make the playoffs in 2020 and 2021. Now, Rooney seems like he may be poised for a second chance.
(Photo: Pablo Maurer / The Athletic)