26 June 2024 , 19:38
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Wayne Rooney has left the BBC's coverage of Euro 2024 in order to start his new job as Plymouth Argyle boss.
Rooney was originally set to spend the entire tournament working as a pundit for the BBC, but those plans changed when he took on the Plymouth job. And Rooney confirmed he was returning from Germany to start pre-season preparations following Belgium's 0-0 draw with Ukraine.
"Wayne, it's your last time here because you were going to stay longer but you've got a job," presenter Gary Lineker said before asking Rooney when pre-season starts. "I fly home tomorrow," Rooney replied.
"The lads are back in on July 3 so I'll be home and straight down to Plymouth." Lineker then asked Rooney about Plymouth's opening game of the season, which will see them take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on August 11.
"The excitement was there today," he replied. "When you see the fixtures you're looking through the opening games, the Christmas schedule and stuff. I'm really excited." Plymouth will be the fourth club Rooney has managed, following stints at Derby County, D.C. United and Birmingham.
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He was given the job back in May after holding talks with Plymouth's director of football Neil Dewsnip, who previously coached Rooney when he worked for Everton's academy. And Dewsnip is confident the 38-year-old will be a success, despite his struggles at Birmingham.
"Birmingham City didn't go great for him but even Sir Alex Ferguson has experienced the sack at St. Mirren. What do they say? The path to success is not always a straight line?" Dewsnip said earlier this month.
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"He's had a bump in the road but at Derby he was up against the odds and did well while D.C United almost made the MLS play-offs. Knowing the kind of person he is he would have learned from all that. He will use that as incredible motivation.
"Wayne made the initial move that he wanted to be involved in the process of us looking for a head coach. We must have had around 80 showing an interest. We got it down to a smaller number and asked four to come for an interview.
"Wayne was one of them and deservedly won the day. He didn't receive any favours. It came through very strongly that he was anxious to be actively involved again despite making a very favourable impression as a TV pundit."