Former Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney has been appointed head coach of DC United, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club announced on Tuesday. The 36-year-old, who played for DC United from 2018 to 2019, stepped down as manager of Derby County last month after a turbulent 17- month spell, during which the English club was marred by financial trouble and relegated to the third tier. “Wayne is a soccer legend and one of the most exciting and dynamic up-and-coming managers in our sport,” said Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, co-chairmen of DC United.

“He has an understanding of our league and what it takes to be successful in Major League Soccer thanks to his two-year stay with us as a player.” Rooney was made full-time manager at Derby in January 2021 following a successful stint as interim player-manager during which he steered the Championship club to safety. He resigned last month, saying that he hoped Derby would be led by someone with fresh energy and not affected by the events that had happened over the last 18 months.

“Wayne is a winner and a competitor. His work ethic and what he demands of himself and his players is second to none,” said Dave Kasper, president of soccer operations at DC United. As a player, Rooney scored 253 goals for Manchester United and won five Premier League titles and the Champions League with the club. He is the England national team’s record scorer with 53 goals. DC United are second from bottom in the Eastern Conference with 17 points from as many games.

“To really come here, back to the MLS, back to D.C. United was an exciting challenge for me and something which I feel can develop me as a coach,” Rooney said at a news conference at Audi Field. “I’m at the point of my managerial career where I have to put the work in. Of course I’m an ambitious person. One day I went to manage at the top level.”