LONDON, Dec 31, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney 
stepped down as Plymouth manager on Tuesday after just seven months in charge 
of the Championship strugglers.

Rooney leaves with Plymouth rooted to the bottom of the second tier following 
Sunday's 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Oxford.

Plymouth sit four points from safety after winning just four times and losing 
13 of their 23 league games following Rooney's appointment in May.

Plymouth have been thrashed 6-1 by Norwich and lost 4-0 against both Bristol 
City and Coventry in recent weeks to heap the pressure on the former England 
captain.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board of Plymouth," said 
Rooney.

"Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club 
such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support 
during my time as head coach and I wish them all the best for the future.

"To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they 
are memories that we will share forever.

"Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will 
continue to look out for and take interest in their results."

A statement on the club website added: "Plymouth Argyle can confirm that the 
club and head coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways with 
immediate effect.

"We would like to thank Wayne and his team for all their efforts and wish 
them well for the future."

It is 39-year-old Rooney's latest managerial flop. He was sacked by 
Birmingham after only 15 games in charge last season.

Birmingham were eventually relegated from the Championship after Rooney's 
exit.

Rooney was also unable to keep Derby in the Championship after the club were 
hit with hefty points deductions when they went into administration and 
breached Football League accounting rules.

He earned plaudits at Derby for keeping them in the survival battle until the 
end of the season but quit the Rams in the aftermath of their relegation in 
2022.

Rooney also had a spell as DC United manager in the United States before 
returning to England.

Feted as one of the greatest players of his generation, Rooney is Manchester 
United's all-time leading goalscorer and also held that record with England 
for eight years before it was broken by Harry Kane in 2023.

He won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, Europa League, FA 
Cup and League Cup in a glittering 13-year spell with United that ended in 
2017.