Wayne Rooney leaves behind 'Coleen release clause' after D.C. United exit

08 October 2023 , 12:27

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Wayne Rooney has left D.C. United by mutual consent (Image: Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney’s exit as manager of DC United means that he has left behind a bizzarre release clause that was placed into his contract.

It was announced on Saturday that Rooney would be leaving his role as manager of the Major League Soccer club by mutual consent. DC had claimed a 2-0 win over Eastern Conference rivals New York City at Audi Field prior to the announcement being made of Rooney’s departure.

The Manchester United and England legend had been in charge of DC since July 2022, after leaving Derby County. Rooney’s record in charge of the Washington club stands at 53 games with 26 losses, 13 draws, and 14 wins, including the recent victory over New York City.

READ MORE: Wayne Rooney leaves DC United as Man Utd legend now without club

With Rooney’s time as DC manager now over, it means that one particular clause that was put in his contract is no longer in effort. As part of the process of being hired by DC, Rooney is understood to have persuaded the club’s bosses to allow him to return to the UK should a Premier League job arise.

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The clause has been referred to as the “Coleen release clause”, in reference to Rooney’s wife, Coleen. Coleen is said to have given her husband her blessing to return to the United States last year after he spent time with the club as a player from 2018-20.

During Rooney’s first spell in the US as a player, Coleen and the couple’s four children went with him. However, after taking the job as manager in 2022, Rooney’s family decided to stay in the UK.

“Wayne planned summer with the family after leaving Derby County. He didn’t expect to be offered a job so soon,” a source told in July last year.

“His contract lets him to speak to Premier League clubs if there’s a job going. I think he’ll only return if it’s a big club, but being home with Coleen and the boys would be a big factor for him.”

Rooney addressed the media on Saturday night after the decision was taken for him to leave DC. The 37-year-old would explain the reason behind his exit, and what the future may hold for him in management.

Wayne Rooney had been the manager of D.C. United since July 2022 (Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

"It's the right time,” Rooney told reporters. “I've done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It's not a single thing that's happened. It's about timing.

"What lies ahead, I don't know. I've seen a lot of reports in the media. I'm going back with nothing lined up."

"I want to say on record to everyone involved in the club. Staff, players: I'm grateful."

Mark Wakefield