Football legend Wayne Rooney is out as head coach of D.C. United. The MLS club and Rooney agreed mutually to part ways, as United missed the postseason for the second-straight season.
“We have spoken with Wayne and agreed it is best for us to part ways at this time,” Jason Levien, CEO and co-chairman of D.C. United, said in a news release.
Rooney took over as coach for D.C. United in July 2022. On Saturday, the club wrapped up its second season with Rooney with a 2-0 win over New York City. D.C. United concluded its season with a 10-14-10 mark, but with pending results around the league, United is guaranteed not to finish in the top nine of the Eastern Conference standings.
According to Steven Goff of The Washington Post, Rooney, whose contract expires in December, was seeking a contract extension. After a meeting with Levien, the two sides agreed for Rooney and the club to part ways.
“I have really enjoyed my time here, but I just feel it’s the right time to go back to England. What lies ahead, I don’t know,” Wayne Rooney said, per Goff.
D.C. United plans to hire a general manager before getting a new head coach. The club has been without a GM since last winter. The general manager will lead the charge to find the team’s next coach.
