WAYNE ROONEY has confirmed he is leaving his role as a BBC pundit at Euro 2024 to take charge of pre-season with new club Plymouth.
The Manchester United and England legend, 38, took the job with the Championship outfit ahead of the tournament.
He then flew to Germany to link up with fellow Three Lions icons Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer in the BBC studio for the Euros.
But after analysing Belgium’s goalless draw with Ukraine on Wednesday night, he revealed it would be his final game as he prepares to fly back to England.
He said: “I fly home tomorrow, the lads are back in on the third of July, so I’ll be home and straight down to Plymouth.”
It was confirmed on Wednesday morning that his first game in charge of the second-tier side will be against Sheffield Wednesday on August 11.
When Lineker asked him about the excitement of returning to coaching after the fixture announcement, Rooney added: “The excitement was there today when you see the fixtures.
“You look through the opening games, your Christmas schedule and stuff so yeah really excited.”
Shearer then joked they are the pundits that will “start criticising you”.
Lineker then hilariously took aim at former Portugal international Jose Fonte who wore a white striped shirt as a special guest in the studio.
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Wayne Rooney’s managerial record
A look at Wayne Rooney’s time in the dugout…
2020 – 2022: Derby County
Games in charge: 84
Wins: 25
Draws: 21
Losses: 38
2022 – 2023: D.C United
Games in charge: 53
Wins: 14
Draws: 13
Losses: 26
2023 – 2024: Birmingham City
Games in charge: 15
Wins: 2
Draws: 4
Losses: 9
Referencing his choice of top, Lineker added: “Jose is off to play in the cricket for England tomorrow.”
Rooney has signed a three-year deal with Plymouth – who narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship last season.
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He penned the deal just four months after being sacked by Birmingham after a nightmare stint in the Midlands.
Rooney’s time with Birmingham was catastrophic, winning only two of his 15 games in the dugout.
His 83-day stint at St Andrews went some way to cementing the club’s fate of relegation at the end of the season.
When Rooney arrived at the club they sat in sixth place in the Championship but his terrible run of results, coupled with similar form from his replacement Tony Mowbray, saw the club tank to 22nd place.
But Rooney, who has also managed Derby and DC United, has been given another chance by Plymouth.
In an announcement on the official club website, 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.Â
“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.Â
“I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park.
“The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.Â
“I can’t wait for the Championship season to start in August.”
BBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in full
Here’s how each channel will line-up:
BBC presenters:
Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman
ITV presenters:
Mark Pougatch and Laura WoodsÂ
BBC pundits:
Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden
ITV pundits:
Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina Unkel
BBC commentators:
Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan Pearce
ITV commentators:
Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight
BBC co-commentators:
Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFadden
ITV co-commentators:
Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend