When Wayne Rooney was named Plymouth Argyle manager in May, some claimed he had secured the job more on the strength of his name and reputation forged during a stellar playing career rather than anything he had done as a manager.
Similar allegations have been levelled at his former England team-mate Frank Lampard, who was in the opposing dugout on Boxing Day as Coventry City beat Plymouth Argyle 4-0, consigning the Pilgrims to the bottom of the Championship.
After that game, Rooney claimed he was still the man to take Plymouth Argyle forward, but as he prepares to face fellow strugglers Oxford United on Sunday, this could be a make-or-break period for his managerial career.
Unsuccessful Spell in The MLS
Rooney’s managerial career began at Derby County, but he was cut some slack given the financial constraints he was working under at Pride Park and he did manage to keep them up in his first season.
He then returned to the US to manage his former club DC United. Taking over midway through the 2022 season, he managed just one win and six points from 13 games as they finished bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference.
In the 2023 season, DC United finished 12th out of 15 in the Eastern Conference with 40 points from 34 games. In the overall table, they were placed 23rd out of 29 and were knocked out in the Round of 32 of the Leagues Cup. Rooney left at the end of the season.
Nightmare in the Midlands
In October last year, Rooney returned to English football with Birmingham City, replacing the popular John Eustace on a three-and-a-half-year deal with the club in sixth place in the Championship.
Just 83 days and 15 games later, Rooney was sacked with the club having won just twice in his tenure and plummeted to 20th in the table. Blues were later relegated to the third tier for the first time in 30 years.
With both of his last two jobs being undoubted failures, it is perhaps understandable that there was plenty of scepticism surrounding his appointment at Plymouth Argyle, who were already one of the favourites for relegation.
How has he done at Plymouth Argyle so far?
As was the case last season before his arrival, home form has been starkly different to that away. At Home Park, they have collected 16 points from 10 games including wins over Sunderland, Luton Town, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth.
However, away from home, they have picked up just two points, from draws with QPR and Derby County, from twelve games. Without their solid home form, the Pilgrims would be cut adrift at the bottom. As it is, they are only two points adrift of safety.
They have easily the leakiest defence in the league having conceded 49 times, a massive ten goals more than any other side in the Championship. They have also not won since that victory over Portsmouth at the beginning of November.
Make or Break Period For Rooney and Plymouth Argyle
Sunday’s trip to Oxford United is crucial, with the hosts only three points ahead of Plymouth Argyle going into the game. They begin 2025 with a home match against Bristol City before a trip to Stoke City, who are looking for their third manager of the season after sacking Narcis Pelach.
Following a trip to Premier League side Brentford in the FA Cup, the Pilgrims then have three straight home games against Oxford, QPR and Burnley. This run could well prove crucial in their survival chances.
If Rooney fails to pick up some results in the coming weeks, his reputation as a manager at this level will take a hit. It is uncertain if he will be able to pick up another job following three unsuccessful reigns. It is make or break for both the Manchester United legend and his Plymouth Argyle team.