Rooney's Argyle ready to roar

Now, 24 years on from taking to the Goodison Park pitch against Tottenham Hotspur, the 38-year-old is set for his latest footballing chapter, this time as the new head coach of Sky Bet Championship side, Plymouth Argyle.

A few eyebrows were raised within the footballing world back in May when the Pilgrims confirmed the former England striker as their new supremo.

But as senior figures at Home Park were clear to note from his very first press call, Rooney was the stand-out candidate to take on the role ahead of the new 2024/25 season.

Now, just days out from Argyle’s seasonal opener away to Sheffield Wednesday, the legendary striker has spoken of the excitement building amongst himself and his players following a gruelling pre-season build-up.

“I’m very excited,” said Rooney. “I have been really impressed with the lads throughout pre-season. The physical work we’ve put in, together with a lot of information we’ve given them, we’re really pleased with what they’ve done. Now we’re really excited for Sunday. We’ve done all the planning, all the preparation, and we’re ready to go.”

With a handful of new faces brought to the club during the close season, Rooney says the make-up of his squad is one with which he is happy, insisting the hard work starts in earnest from now.

“We’re ready. This last week of pre-season is always the toughest week because you know you have the game at the weekend. You’ve got decisions to make on the team and you’ve got conversations to have with players, so it’s always the toughest week. That said, we’ve gone through all of that and the players are ready for Sunday.”

Pundits and bookies alike have made no secret of the fact that they think Argyle will struggle this season under Rooney’s stewardship, but the man himself came out fighting when quizzed on that very matter.

“I think you’re always trying to prove a point, whatever line of work you are in,” continued Rooney. “Sometimes because of my name, things get over-hyped a bit. I understand that, but I am at a club that is very ambitious and a club that wants to try and improve on where they have been. I wouldn’t be doing the club a right service if I didn’t have a point to prove.

“I am really confident person, I’m confident in my ability and I’m confident in the coaches and the players I have got here. There is always going to be doubters, that’s part of the game, and people will always have opinions, so I have no problem with that.

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“Before coming to Argyle I had a few months off and it allowed me to reflect on everything I had been through as a coach. I spoke to many different people within the game, got their feedback, and it was really helpful to have that time. The hunger to get back in, however, was huge. I am not someone who likes to sit at home. I have that desire to be great.

“I’ve had a really good playing career, where I had good times and then some knock backs, but I want to be remembered as someone whose work-rate and effort is never doubted. I have that willingness to go and do things, sometimes out of the box, which I know some ex players are unwilling to do. I want to do that and be an example for my children, be an example for my players, but ultimately I want to be in football. That’s all I know, it’s what I love and hopefully I can bring many smiles to many faces.”

Indeed, it seems Rooney thrives on the pressure and the spotlight thrust upon him, adding: “I’ve had it since I was 16 at Everton. Then I went and played for England, then Manchester United, that pressure is there every day. As I’ve said before, just because of my name - and my name does bring headlines - it can be seen as a bit more pressure than it really is. I am someone who really believes in what I do, how I do it, so that is what keeps driving me forward.”

Since joining Argyle, Rooney hasn’t been afraid to get out and about amongst the local community and his warmth to the region already has been welcomed by the Green Army.

“I couldn’t live in Cheshire and work here, it’s too far,” he joked. “To be honest, I’ve really enjoyed things. From everyone at the club to being out and about meeting people, it’s been great. From having chats with people, it’s different. There is a different feel to this football club compared to any other club I have been to.

“You see the same fans at games, they know the players, they interact with each other, and it’s a real good chemistry between players and fans, which is very rare these days. It’s really refreshing to come into a football club and embrace the chemistry and the community we are in.”

Tackling the Championship, though, is a formidable task for Argyle and Rooney needs no reminding of the threat posed across the division by rival clubs.

“The league is relentless,” he said. “It’s one of the best leagues in the world and a great platform for players to go and prove themselves. It’s a physical, tough, mental league to play in, so it’s my job, along with the coaches, to make sure we have everyone in the best frame of mind and best physical condition to compete.”

As a player who always wore his heart on his sleeve, Rooney’s commitment to the cause was never in doubt. Now, though, Rooney is looking for a similar buy-in from his own squad as they looked to push onwards and upwards.

“Mentality, mindset and hard work, they are the foundations of any good football club,” explained the Argyle chief. “Without that, it won’t work. I think the players understand that and i’s been driven into them. Having that foundation of desire, hunger and hard work to win is something we are instilling into the players on a daily basis.”

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