Wayne Rooney gave his thoughts on potentially joining Michael Carrick’s coaching staff as he looks set to become Manchester United’s interim manager.
Wayne Rooney has said he’d be open to joining Michael Carrick’s coaching staff if his former teammate invites him as Manchester United’s interim manager.
Rooney, who scored 253 goals in 559 appearances for United, said it would be an easy decision to return if Carrick asked him to be part of his team.
Rooney also praised Carrick’s understanding of the club, calling him someone who “lives and breathes Manchester United.”
Wayne Rooney open to joining Michael Carrick, ‘not begging’ for coaching staff appointment
Wayne Rooney made the comments during his BBC show, The Wayne Rooney Show, after Michael Carrick was linked with the role following Ruben Amorim’s departure last week.
The club legend believes Carrick’s connection to the club makes him the right choice to step in, even on an interim basis.
“Of course I would,” Rooney said. “It’s a no-brainer. By the way, I’m not begging for a job here. To be clear, if I was asked to come in, of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing.”
“I think it would fit together really well,” he said. “Michael loves the football club and would like to do something if he can. He lives and breathes that club — that’s what the club needs.”
Carrick, who previously worked as a coach under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, had a brief spell as United’s caretaker boss in 2021.
During that time, he oversaw a Champions League win against Villarreal and a Premier League victory over Arsenal before moving to Middlesbrough. He managed Boro for two and a half years before leaving in June 2025.
Wayne Rooney’s coaching ambitions
Since retiring in 2021, Rooney has held several managerial roles, including spells at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle.
This is the first time he’s publicly spoken about returning to United in a coaching role. United, currently seventh in the Premier League, are expected to announce Carrick’s appointment soon.
There is no word on Rooney potentially getting an invite to be part of Carrick’s coaching staff, at least not as of yet.
If it goes ahead, it would bring together two key figures from the club’s last title-winning side under Sir Alex Ferguson — and could set the stage for Rooney’s long-awaited return.
Read More: Michael Carrick has named three players central to Man Utd’s best spell under Ruben Amorim
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