WAYNE ROONEY is DEAF is his left ear.
The former Manchester United and England captain, 40, has stepped into punditry following a spell in management.
He is a regular on Match of the Day this season after signing a bumper contract with the BBC.
But in a behind-the-scenes piece at the Beeb’s Salford studios pulling back the curtain on how the iconic footie highlights show is made, he made the shock revelation about his hearing.
The clip showed Rooney getting ready to go on set for the live show earlier in the season.
However, as one of the tech crew set up his microphone and earpiece, the former striker had to get it swapped to his other ear.
Pointing initially to his right ear, Rooney said: “Can I do it in this ear?
“I used to close the talkback.”
Five-time Premier League winner Rooney then admitted: “The problem is I’m deaf in my left ear.
“So when it’s too loud I struggle to hear what Kelly Cates or whoever is saying.”
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It is unclear when Rooney lost the hearing in his left ear and whether it is partially or fully gone.
However, he did cut that ear in a nasty incident on holiday in 2009.
Rooney, 23 at the time, slipped on a chartered luxury yacht in the French Riviera while on holiday.
The footballer – whose wife Coleen was pregnant with their first son Kai at the time – was rushed to hospital and had a horrific gash that needed 45 stitches.
He returned to Liverpool sporting a baseball cap and a hoodie to cover up the bandages.
Rooney has enjoyed delivering his expert analysis as a pundit on MOTD.
However, like Gary O’Neil who appeared just days before getting the Strasbourg job, he is not ruling out a return to the dugout.
As revealed by SunSport, the former Derby, DC United, Birmingham and Plymouth boss is keen to manage again after being inspired by his brother John’s heroics as Macclesfield knocked Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup.
A source told SunSport: “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 firsthand 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.”
