Wayne Rooney’s aspirations to play in the Premier League were put on hold while he was with Plymouth Argyle.

Wayne Rooney is approaching his new role as manager of Plymouth Argyle with a sense of realism. The former Derby County, DC United, and Birmingham City boss took over from Ian Foster in May and is determined to find success after his dismissal from Birmingham last season.

Plymouth narrowly avoided relegation last season following the departure of popular manager Steven Schumacher. Now, they are aiming to establish themselves in the Championship after their promotion from League One in 2023.

Rooney understands the importance of being realistic in their goals for the upcoming season, which kicks off against Sheffield Wednesday on August 11. In his first news conference as Argyle boss, he stated, “We need to be clever in how we work. I’m not going to come out and say we’re going to be looking to get to the Premier League in a year’s time, we need to be realistic.”

He emphasized the need to build on the progress the club has made over the last five years and to keep moving forward. Rooney hopes that, within a certain timeframe, they can get closer to reaching the Premier League.

After leaving Birmingham in January, Rooney had some time away from management. He took on punditry roles, including featuring on TNT Sports’ coverage of Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Everton. However, his true ambition was always to return to management.

Rooney acknowledged the challenges he has faced in adapting to managerial roles, particularly when joining a club mid-season. Therefore, he is excited about the opportunity to have a full pre-season at Argyle and get to know his squad before the start of the season.

As a manager, Rooney wants to be known for his attacking style of play. He aims to play entertaining football with control and organization. His teams have always been well-organized, but he also wants them to score goals and play as a cohesive unit.

Argyle’s pre-season preparations will begin with a friendly against non-league side Buckland Athletic on July 16. Rooney is ready to put in the work over the next few weeks to ensure his team is ready for the first game of the season.

Overall, Rooney’s realistic approach and desire to play attractive football bode well for his tenure as Plymouth Argyle manager. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the start of the season to see how his vision translates onto the pitch.