Sacked Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney has got underway in a new coaching role less than two months after his latest axing.
But it’s not the elite of world football that the former Derby and Birmingham boss will be mentoring – or even professionals for that matter. That’s after Rooney announced in January that he would be completing a short residency at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.
The Pilgrims made the decision to part ways with the Manchester United icon on New Year’s Eve after sinking to rock bottom in the Championship. And it was barely one week later that it came to light Rooney would be spending five days coaching kids in the Middle East as part of the Football Escapes team.
According to the hotel’s website, the package will blend “exciting football sessions with the luxurious yet family-friendly atmosphere of one of Dubai’s most iconic resorts.” While some fans from Devon may disagree, Jumeirah Beach Hotel promises it will offer “world-class coaching” courtesy of United’s all-time top scorer.
“While the children learn from one of football’s most celebrated players, parents can relax by the private beach, indulge in fine dining, or explore the many family-focused activities the resort has to offer,” read the description. “From football coaching with a Premier League legend to relaxing in Dubai’s luxurious setting, this Football Escapes holiday strikes the perfect balance of fun, learning, and quality family time.”
Rooney’s residency officially got underway on Monday as he begins a week of sun, sea and schmoozing with the parents of those who can afford the elite tutoring experience. And a place on the list of attendees doesn’t come cheap.
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel website advertises that a holiday package for a family of four will cost on average between £7,500 and £8,650. But then it’s not every day one gets to train with one of the best forwards in Premier League history.
Rooney, 39, has already voiced his ambition to remain involved with management despite yet another setback. He has coached just 40 games across his last two tenures with Plymouth (25) and Birmingham (15) since returning to England towards the end of 2023.
His most successful coaching spell to date remains his almost two-year stay with Derby, who were relegated to League One at the end of his appointment. However, that was heavily influenced by the club being placed in administration for effectively all of his last season at Pride Park.
Rooney’s overall win percentage as a manager is just 25.3%, which is a far cry from the standards he was used to as a player. However, a spot of sun in Dubai may be just the break he needs to reignite the managerial bug once again.
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