Alan Shearer makes feelings clear on Wayne Rooney after first league win as Plymouth manager

Wayne Rooney Plymouth

Alan Shearer has hailed Wayne Rooney after the 38-year-old finally secured his first league win as Plymouth manager over the weekend

PA
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 18/09/2024

- 13:08

The Manchester United icon took charge of the Championship side back in the summer

Alan Shearer has hailed Wayne Rooney after the 38-year-old finally secured his first league win as Plymouth manager over the weekend.

Rooney opted to return to management back in the summer, having previously struggled during a disastrous stint as Birmingham boss.


His time in charge of the club got off to a nightmare start, with Plymouth losing 4-0 to Sheffield Wednesday on August 11.

Ever since that defeat, however, things have started to improve.

Wayne Rooney Plymouth

Alan Shearer has hailed Wayne Rooney after the 38-year-old finally secured his first league win as Plymouth manager over the weekend

PA

Plymouth beat Cheltenham in the Carabao Cup, while also picking up draws against Hull City and QPR.

On Saturday, Rooney was left jubilant after his Plymouth side finally won their first league match.

A late goal from Joe Edwards sparked wild celebrations, with The Pilgrims winning 3-2 against Sunderland.

And Shearer, speaking to Betfair, has now revealed he's delighted for Rooney - while also praising the Manchester United and Everton icon for deciding to take a punt on the job following his dismal Birmingham stint.

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"I saw the response when the goal went in from Wayne and his coaching staff going mad on the touchline," he said.

"I was delighted for him because I was sat watching the scores come through when we were in the room watching all the Premier League games on Saturday.

"It was me, Gary Lineker and Danny Murphy. I think Sunderland got back to 2-2 and then it was so late on that you thought he was going to go on and win the game.

"I'm pleased for Wayne because he's shown some courage to go down to Plymouth and take that job on and I really hope he can be a success.

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"You saw what it meant to him and his coaching staff when the goal went in and they were able to win the game against a team that's won their previous four games as well.

"It was a big result for Plymouth and I hope they can take a lot from that.

"I'm really impressed with how he wants to stay in football. He had Derby, Birmingham and he also went over to DC United as well.

"It's courage. He loves coaching and managing and because of his status as a player, it'd have been easy for him to sit back and do the job I'm doing or many others are doing in TV and radio because I'm sure there'd have been lots of opportunities for him to do that but he still wants to go and get his hands dirty if you like.

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Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer has praised the bravery of Wayne Rooney after he secured his first league win as Plymouth manager

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"It's not an easy job to go all the way down to Plymouth and leave the family again so I admire him for doing it."

Rooney, meanwhile, was pleased after his side's win.

He also thinks it is a sign his team is improving, especially given how Sunderland had won all four of their previous matches.

"It always feels nice to win, in any game, and of course to get off the mark in the league," he admitted.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney will be hoping to build on his first league win as Plymouth manager

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"I think it's been coming and we've been gradually getting better performance-wise.

"I'm really pleased for the players and the fans, because the fans are seeing what we're trying to do, they're seeing little improvements to the team and obviously that always helps when you win games.

"So I'm really pleased for the fans and for the players, who are trying to take all the information we're giving them every day, and they are doing that and I'm glad we've seen them improve as well."

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