Wayne Rooney admits he has to 'bounce back' from Birmingham sacking... with the new Plymouth boss insisting he can still become a 'top manager' despite the setback
- Rooney was named as the manager of Championship side Plymouth last week
- The Man United legend made a quick return after being sacked by Birmingham
- Plymouth job will be the one that makes or breaks Wayne Rooney's managerial career - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast
Wayne Rooney believes he can still become a top manager despite being sacked by Birmingham City after a torrid spell in charge.
The Manchester United legend was appointed Birmingham boss in October, but took charge of just 15 matches before being sacked in January.
Rooney oversaw just two wins during his brief tenure, with Birmingham slipping from sixth to 20th in the Championship.
Birmingham were eventually relegated at the end of the season, after a tumultuous campaign which saw four managers lead the team.
Rooney has secured a swift return to the dugout after being appointed as Plymouth Argyle manager last week, the fourth role of his managerial career.
![Wayne Rooney admits he needs to bounce back after his brief spell as Birmingham City boss](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/30/09/85504629-13475163-image-a-9_1717056032325.jpg)
Wayne Rooney admits he needs to bounce back after his brief spell as Birmingham City boss
![Rooney oversaw just two wins in 15 matches before being sacked by Birmingham in January](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/30/08/85503887-13475163-image-a-1_1717054136507.jpg)
Rooney oversaw just two wins in 15 matches before being sacked by Birmingham in January
![The 38-year-old said he has reflected on his time as Birmingham manager since his sacking](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/30/09/85503787-13475163-image-a-10_1717056088425.jpg)
The 38-year-old said he has reflected on his time as Birmingham manager since his sacking
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Rooney speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, said that he has reflected a lot on his 83-day spell in charge of Birmingham over recent months.
He admitted to former Man United team-mate Gary Neville that he has to bounce back in his latest role.
'It was strange leaving Birmingham City. From the age of nine, when I joined Everton, until then, it was the first time I'd had a break like that,' Rooney said.
'I left Derby, and it was a week later that I went off to DC United, and after DC United, it was 24hrs later that I went to Birmingham, so now is the first time I've had off.
'You reflect a lot; you think of things you could have done differently or things you could do better – you overthink. I've never been one who blames people, I wouldn't look at other people and blame them.
'I think the [Birmingham City] owners are fantastic, and they'll do well in the future, but it's football and when you go into a job, especially now as a manager, you can get sacked.
'We've seen it many times, it's part of the job and it can happen, but what's important is how you bounce back from that.'
Rooney, who has been house hunting in the south west with wife Coleen, has expressed how he plans to use his experience at past clubs to help him in his new role.
He faces a challenging task at Plymouth, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship themselves last season.
![Rooney has secured a swift return to the dugout after being confirmed as Plymouth manager](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/30/09/85388801-13475163-Wayne_Rooney_has_opened_up_on_his_previous_managerial_struggles_-a-11_1717056160786.jpg)
Rooney has secured a swift return to the dugout after being confirmed as Plymouth manager
![The Man United legend takes over a Plymouth side which narrowly avoided relegation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/30/09/85388861-13475163-He_will_take_over_Plymouth_who_narrowly_stayed_up_in_the_Champio-a-12_1717056164390.jpg)
The Man United legend takes over a Plymouth side which narrowly avoided relegation
The 38-year-old insisted he can still become a top manager, despite his setback at Birmingham.
'I didn't feel insecure after the Birmingham job because I always believe in myself and believe that I will be a top manager – I really do believe that.
'Where I am in my managerial career, obviously I've had a set back and I might have to drop down [to manage in the lower leagues] – that's not an issue at all.
'My career as a player doesn't mean that I can walk into a top job as a manager, I have to put the work in to get there.'
Wayne Rooney was speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet
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