An end of an era that can prove best for both parties
Rooney retirement is the correct decision as Southgate turns to likes of Kane and Rashford
They were all there at the Etihad Stadium on Monday evening: Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Gareth Southgate. The managers of Wayne Rooney’s past and, maybe, with an England recall rumoured, of his future as well.
At the final whistle, another manager, Pep Guardiola, sought him out while, later, Rooney cheekily took to social media with a photograph of him celebrating, cupping his ear, as he ran past jeering Manchester City supporters. That goal, in the 1-1 draw, was Rooney’s 200th in the Premier League and, naturally, he took the headlines. It was a good night for him.
Rooney has taken the headlines again. The following morning, or so the story goes, Southgate called Rooney to inform him that he had, indeed, won a recall for the World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia. Rooney politely told Southgate that, after consideration – it is said he had been tipped off that a recall was likely – he would, in fact, be retiring from international football.
That decision was kept under wraps for a further 24 hours with Rooney then allowed to make the announcement the day before the squad was named. If Southgate was genuinely going to offer Rooney a recall – and there has to be a touch of scepticism – then the 31-year-old really has been allowed to go out on his own terms, and on the up, and fair play to him for that.
It is undoubtedly the right decision. The right timing, also, and Rooney has got his timing spot on in the last couple of years. He has faced the inevitable, but has been allowed to do so – for club and country – in a manner that has been well-managed.
There was the end of his Manchester United career after a season in which he became the club’s all-time leading scorer, there was the return to his former club, Everton, rather than having to scrabble around chasing an overseas gig in China or the United States. And there was, before that, becoming England’s record scorer – and now, stepping aside without his involvement developing into a distracting sideshow.
Rooney is still only 31 but, just six caps short of Peter Shilton’s all-time caps record of 125, has decided to go. It shows, for a start, he was not just seeking that record, not just hanging around to make further appearances, and it also shows that it really is best for him and for England to move on.
Rooney can now concentrate on his club career, which has started so well back with Everton, and England can focus on the future: on Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford and on Dele Alli and Adam Lallana. It is the end of an era – and, frankly, about time.
Rooney being around would have complicated matters, would have been a distraction. At St George’s Park today Southgate will announce his squad, but he knows it will all be about Rooney, and he can accept that. For one last time. Rooney’s future has often dominated Southgate’s media briefings, and also those of his
There has always been the sense that he has been valued more overseas than in this country
predecessor, Sam Allardyce. At England’s first get-together under Allardyce, Rooney announced that the World Cup in Russia 2018 would be his last tournament.
It was meant as a way of giving some clarity but, inadvertently, came across as presumptuous, England’s most senior player basically telling the manager that he would be playing for his country up until that point.
Southgate grasped the nettle. He dropped Rooney on form, and deservedly so. It was not a punishment but merely a sign that others had earned their chance as Southgate, the former Under-21 coach, naturally turned towards youth.
We do not know what role Southgate offered Rooney when he called him to offer a recall. Maybe it was merely because others were injured; maybe it was to be a senior figure in the squad (unlikely) or an acknowledgement that, after a summer of hard work, Rooney had regained his form and fitness at his boyhood club.
Even in that match at City, though, there were signs that Rooney was struggling to maintain his top form over 90 minutes, and his decision is probably also a simple acknowledgement that he needs to look after himself.
Not playing for his country, not having the travel and the attention during international breaks and tournaments, will undoubtedly help him prolong his club career. Everton are re-arming and Rooney will have a fight on his hands to remain in their team no matter his name, reputation or current form. Ronald Koeman, the manager, is ambitious and does not stand on ceremony.
There is another factor. Rooney’s wife, Coleen, is pregnant. The couple already have three children and will have a baby by next summer when the World Cup takes place. It must have been discussed.
For Southgate, Rooney’s retirement will maybe also be a relief. He may have been the man who dropped Rooney – and the hurt was clear in the striker’s eyes when he was left out for the qualifier in Slovenia – but he never ruled him out. And now he can say he offered Rooney a way back.
Rooney retired himself and Southgate, if he fails, will not be blamed for that.
So, the assessments of Rooney’s England career will begin. Or continue.
Rooney has been debated, it seems, since day one. He is the record scorer, and that is an astonishing achievement, and there has always been the sense that he has been valued – and feared – more overseas than in this country.
We do not do well when it comes to appreciating our best sportsmen.
But, maybe also, Rooney himself has summed up another undeniable truth. He recently spoke about how Euro 2004 – when he burst on the scene as an 18-year-old, gave a glimpse of greatness, and maybe England actually winning, before he got injured – was his best tournament.
It was. And that, despite his achievements, is a sad thought.