Ex-Chelsea striker Andy Townsend has warned Wayne Rooney he will immediately be under pressure at Plymouth Argyle if he does not start well.
The Manchester United legend was named as the Pilgrims' new manager on May 25, five months after he was sacked by Birmingham City. Rooney, who has signed a three-year deal at Home Park Stadium, was described as being the standout choice among a slew of "highly experienced" candidates by the Plymouth hierarchy.
Rooney's last Championship stint only lasted 83 days, as he inherited Birmingham from John Eustace when they were in sixth position and departed with the club languishing just two places above the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Plymouth only just managed to avoid a return to League One at Birmingham's expense, finishing in 21st position, just one point above the relegation zone. After describing Rooney's spell in the Midlands as a "disaster", Townsend warned the fans could turn on the former England captain if he starts poorly.
"It was crazy what happened for him at Birmingham, just a total disaster for him," Townsend remarked on TalkSPORT. "I like to see former players walking into jobs in football.
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"I believe there's a place for that, but these guys have got to really earn their corn and I think Wayne's going to have it full on to show exactly what he can do as manager of Plymouth," reports Plymouth Live.
"You can't knock him for embracing the challenge. I mean it would be very easy for someone like Wayne Rooney to sit on their backsides and do nothing. [He could] just do the television and do that for the next ten years no problem. But [he] wants to prove himself as a coach. I hope that we start to see exactly what Wayne is about as a coach, I really do."
Rooney struggled at Birmingham City, winning only two of his 15 matches (PA Wire)Rooney suffered nine losses in 15 games before his dismissal was announced on January 2. However, when the former striker was appointed by the Pilgrims, Argyle chief executive Andrew Parkinson was quick to express his confidence in Rooney's vision for Plymouth.
Parkinson stated: "Wayne brings a wealth of football experience to Argyle and a passion to kickstart his managerial career with an ambitious, forward-thinking and well-managed football club. As conversations advanced, it was clear there was a natural alignment in our footballing ideals and the best way to take the club forward.
"When you have positive conversations like that it is a perfect match, and we believe Wayne is the ideal person to help the club on its next five-year journey. Focus will now switch to strengthening the squad ahead of next season, with our recruitment team working hard behind the scenes and Wayne will be an important contributor to that work."
Plymouth avoided relegation to League One on the final day of the season by beating Hull City 1-0 (Getty Images)In a message imparted on the club's website, Rooney promised to bring an entertaining style of football to Home Park Stadium. Rooney said: "Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career and I would like to thank the chairman and board for the faith they have shown in me.
"This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football and to entertain the Green Army."
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