Wayne Rooney agrees to educate DC United

Wayne Rooney agrees to coach DC United - The Washington Post

Former English celebrity Wayne Rooney agreed to contract phrases with D.C. United to turn out to be its coach, reuniting him with the MLS membership for which he performed in 2018 and 2019, individuals within the group stated Sunday.

Rooney arrived at Dulles Worldwide Airport from London on Sunday night time and was greeted by workers members Rory Molleda and Sam Legg. In a short interview earlier than being pushed away, the 36-year-old stated he has a “few issues to kind out” with the contract however was trying ahead to the “problem” of teaching United, which misplaced Friday at Philadelphia, 7-0, equaling an MLS document for scoring margin.

D.C. is 5-10-2 for 17 factors, tied with Chicago for the fewest within the 28-team league.

Staff officers stated they didn’t wish to remark. Paul Stretford, Rooney’s longtime agent, didn’t journey with Rooney however was anticipated to reach in Washington this week.

These near the state of affairs, who spoke on the situation of anonymity to debate the matter freely, stated the perimeters are quickly anticipated to finalize a multiyear deal value at the least $1 million yearly, which might be the best teaching wage in membership historical past.

As soon as the deal is accomplished and he receives a piece allow, Rooney will take the reins from interim coach Chad Ashton, who changed Hernán Losada six video games into the season. Ashton will proceed to information the group till then. Ashton is then anticipated to return to the assistant position he has stuffed for many of the previous 15 years. Till he receives the allow, which usually takes two to 3 weeks, Rooney will function a group guide, one particular person stated.

Ashton was knowledgeable of the teaching choice over the weekend, and through a digital group assembly Sunday, membership officers informed the gamers of Rooney’s impending arrival.

Rooney — a Manchester United legend and the best scorer in English nationwide group historical past — retired in January 2021, shortly after being named coach of Derby County, a second-flight English squad. He stepped down final month after Derby, riddled by monetary issues, was relegated to the third division.

Rooney plans to rent an assistant from English circles, one particular person stated, and try to influence European-based gamers he is aware of to signal with United in the course of the switch window — which is open till Aug. 4 — or earlier than the 2023 season.

Among the many targets, that particular person stated, is Uruguayan ahead Luis Suárez, the 35-year-old former Liverpool, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid star who’s a free agent. United has two open slots for designated gamers, the MLS classification for high-end acquisitions.

Since leaving United after the 2019 season, Rooney has remained pleasant with some D.C. gamers and group executives, who’ve consulted with him a number of occasions on potential participant signings.

United has not certified for the playoffs since Rooney’s second 12 months in MLS. He had deliberate to play in Washington at the least yet another season, however as a result of his household wasn’t comfy residing overseas, he and the membership agreed to half methods. It’s unclear when his spouse and 4 kids will be a part of him right here.

What additionally remained unclear Sunday was whether or not United complied with MLS’s range hiring coverage, which requires at the least two non-White candidates among the many finalists for technical workers positions. No different names have surfaced publicly.

The league does grant waivers below “extenuating circumstances.” United didn’t must observe that coverage when Ashton changed Losada as a result of it was filling the job on an interim foundation.

An MLS spokesman stated the league would supply an replace Monday.


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