While Wayne Rooney took on one of the biggest tests in his coaching career to date, partner Coleen was hundreds of miles away in what was considered a snub by many
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
13:31, 28 Dec 2025
Wayne Rooney was missing his closest confidant when he faced the sack at Plymouth(Image: Dan Kitwood, Getty Images)
Football coaching can be a lonely pursuit at the best of times, never mind when facing the potential of being fired. So it’s understandable Wayne Rooney may have felt somewhat abandoned when his wife, Coleen, was conspicuously absent as he faced his dismissal at Plymouth this time last year.
It was almost exactly one year ago that Rooney took charge of the Pilgrims for the final time. The Devon side journeyed to Oxford on December 29, 2024, in dire need of points to boost their Championship survival chances against a similarly struggling opponent.
Many managers might anticipate seeing family in the crowd for moral support during such pivotal moments. However, Coleen was noticeably absent during Rooney’s crucial match.
Instead, she was enjoying some festive football at Goodison Park, where she watched local club Everton play against Nottingham Forest. Rooney’s other half shared a photo from the directors’ lounge on Merseyside, nearly 300 miles away from her husband.
Ultimately, it turned out to be the final straw for Manchester United legend Rooney. A 2-0 defeat at Oxford proved to be his last challenge as Plymouth boss, and he left the club just two days later.
Rooney exited Home Park with a record of five victories and 14 defeats from 25 matches at the helm. Although not as disastrous as his tenure with Birmingham City, he nonetheless left Plymouth without having enhanced his reputation as a coach.
Rooney was shown the exit at Plymouth on New Year’s Eve(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
He then took another hit when replacement Miron Muslic proved far more effective during his five-month tenure. The Austrian coach even hinted Plymouth might have staved off relegation had he been brought in earlier.
It was always understood Coleen wouldn’t be relocating with Wayne to the south-west. Providing stability for their four young sons remained paramount, although she recognised the arrangement was far more manageable than during his stint with DC United.
“We see him a couple of times a week, which is good,” Coleen revealed to the Sunday Mirror in September 2024. “He went to America, so this is a bonus because even though it seems like far away, it’s easier to get to than Washington, DC.”
The decision doesn’t appear to have dented the pair’s relationship in the slightest(Image: INSTAGRAM)
She added: “We thought long and hard about it (moving to Devon) but with the kids it didn’t work. Kai’s now in Year 10 and just starting GCSE prep, and everything’s going well with football, and the other boys are all settled at school.
“So it didn’t seem fair on the children to pick them up and take them away, and start in a whole new place. It’s manageable. It’s life. Other couples and families have similar situations and have to get on with it.”
Twelve months after his Plymouth exit, there’s little indication of a new managerial opportunity emerging for Rooney. Nevertheless, he might need to consider roles nearer to home if he wants his devoted spouse present in future.
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