Wayne Rooney has been appointed as the head coach of Major League Soccer team DC United.
This is Rooney’s second management job after leave derby last month – leading the club through administration and relegation to Ligue 1.
The England and Manchester United top scorer, 36, spent 18 months at DC United and captained the team.
DC United have said Rooney is “one of the most exciting and dynamic promising managers in our sport”.
Co-chairs Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan added in a statement: “He has already proven in his young coaching career that he can lead a group through adversity.
“He has an understanding of our league and what it takes to be successful in Major League Soccer thanks to his two-year stint with us as a player.
“The passion he has shown wearing the black and red has electrified our city and our club and we are delighted to welcome him back as head coach.”
DC United has been without a coach since April, is second in the Eastern Conference and was beaten 7-0 by the Philadelphia Union on Friday.
Interim head coach Chad Ashton will remain in charge of the team until Rooney receives his work visa.
Rooney spent 18 months in Washington before joining Derby as a player-manager in January 2020, scoring 23 goals in 48 MLS appearances.
He was appointed caretaker manager of the team in November of the same year with the last club in the Championship after their separation from Phillip Cocu.
Rooney was confirmed in the role on a two-and-a-half-year deal three months later, a move that prompted him to confirm his retirement as a player.
Derby entered administration in September 2021 and last season were relegated from the Championship, having accumulated 21 points throughout the season.
The former Everton striker, who made his professional debut for the Toffees in August 2002 aged just 16, then left Derby on June 24.
“Wayne is a winner and a competitor. His work ethic and what he demands of himself and his players is second to none,” said Dave Kasper, president of football operations for DC United.
“Wayne’s approach to the game and the style of football he wants to play matches our philosophy and we believe he is the right person to lead our club forward.”
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