WAYNE Rooney is eyeing a return to football management – after being inspired by his brother’s FA Cup success.
The former England, Manchester United and Everton striker was pitch-side to see his brother John guide Macclesfield to FA Cup success.
And he was later overheard telling people he’s “got unfinished business” in management.
A source told the Sun: “Wayne is loving life as a pundit but he hasn’t given up on the idea of managing again one day.
“Seeing his brother’s success first hand only served to underline how much he’d love another tilt at management.
“He was chatting to supporters afterwards and admitted he still has unfinished business. He just has to wait for the right opportunity to come along.
“Wayne still believes he can succeed as a manager and, ultimately, it’s his dream to coach in the Premier League.”
After hanging up his boots, he was thrust into management at Derby County in 2020, initially as a player-coach before taking sole charge.
His time at Pride Park was widely praised, particularly for guiding the club through severe financial turmoil and a points deduction, while continuing to develop young players under intense pressure.
Rooney then moved to Major League Soccer with DC United, where he took on the dual challenge of raising standards on the pitch and learning the nuances of management in a different football culture.
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A brief and turbulent spell at Birmingham City followed in 2023, before he returned to England’s south coast to take charge of Plymouth Argyle, where he struggled before eventually leaving the club.
Rooney held back tears as he watched his younger brother John mastermind Macclesfield’s FA Cup upset against Crystal Palace.
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Macclesfield eliminated the holders with a 2-1 win Saturday, one of the famous cup’s greatest-ever shocks.
Macclesfield are 117 places below Palace in the football pyramid, but goals from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts gave them an unexpected lead.
They held on despite Yeremy Pino’s late free kick, which reduced the deficit, making the older Rooney sibling proud of his brother in the Macclesfield dugout.
“I am getting emotional to see my younger brother achieve this,” the England and Manchester United legend told the BBC.
“He has not long been in management. To get through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, and to beat Crystal Palace, a Premier League team? I am so proud of him.”
