Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has launched a scathing attack on his ex-teammate Wayne Rooney's managerial abilities.
The Frenchman claims Rooney makes teams worse when he takes charge of them.
Evra's criticism comes after Rooney's unsuccessful spells at Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, which both ended in dismissal.
Rooney's managerial career has been marked by poor results since he hung up his boots to take the reins at Derby County.
Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has launched a scathing attack on his ex-teammate Wayne Rooney's managerial abilities
PA
Speaking alongside another former United player, Park Ji-sung, Evra didn't hold back in his assessment of Rooney's coaching career.
"That's why they [Birmingham] get relegated," Evra told the South Korean via ShootforLoveYT.
"I said no please stop being a manager, it's not for you. And he keeps going somewhere and gets sacked again... and when he leaves, they win."
The comments specifically targeted Rooney's disastrous spell at Birmingham City, where he was dismissed after just 84 days.
Rooney's managerial journey began at Derby County, where he received praise for working under difficult financial circumstances.
Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra won five Premier League titles playing together at Manchester United
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He then spent 12 months at DC United in MLS before Birmingham City came calling.
At Birmingham, Rooney won just two of his 15 matches in charge before being dismissed.
His subsequent role at Plymouth Argyle saw slightly better results, managing five wins in 25 matches.
However, this wasn't enough to save his job or prevent Plymouth from facing likely relegation with the 39-year-old axed on New Year's Eve.
Evra's claim that teams improve after Rooney's departure does have some merit, according to the statistics.
The coaches who replaced Rooney at his former clubs have indeed achieved better win percentages.
However, this improvement hasn't always been enough to change the clubs' fortunes dramatically.
Derby County spent two seasons in the third tier following relegation under Rooney.
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Birmingham City, however, are on track to make an immediate return to the Championship this season.
Plymouth Argyle fans might take some comfort from these precedents as they face likely relegation.
Following his dismissal from Birmingham City in 2024, Rooney defended his poor managerial record.
"Football is a results business - and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be," he wrote in a statement.
Wayne Rooney hasn't returned to management since being sacked by Plymouth on New Year's Eve
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He pointed to the brief time he was given to implement changes at the club.
"However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed."
Despite his challenging experiences in management, Rooney has yet to return to the dugout since leaving Plymouth Argyle.
The former England hero and Manchester United's all-time leading scorer appears undeterred by his previous setbacks - having previously indicated he's keen on a return to the dugout.
