DC ROONITED

‘Wayne has the mentality and desire to be huge in MLS’

WAYNE ROONEY can take his management career to the next level in the MLS.

And he could be the flag-bearer for a generation of up-and-coming British bosses looking to make a name for themselves.

That is the view of Minnesota United boss, and former Everton star, Adrian Heath, who faced off against Rooney in the early hours of this morning as the England legend took charge of his second game at DC United.

Heath, a 14-year veteran of football in America after managing Orlando City before moving to Minnesota in 2017, has seen plenty of managers come and go.

But after watching Rooney’s reintroduction to the MLS, he is certain the former Derby boss is primed to add another impressive chapter to his career.

“I watched his press conference at Washington, when he was unveiled as their new coach, and I was immediately struck by his drive and inner-belief,” said Heath. “You don’t achieve what he has in the game without a winning mentality and desire – and I know he’ll bring that to DC.

“I’m sure a lot of younger managers will be looking on with interest to see how both he and Phil Neville, at Inter Miami, progress.

“After what happened at Derby, this will be a completely different experience because there is no relegation or promotion in the MLS.

“Even so, Wayne is hugely competitive and, even though DC are struggling at the bottom of the table, he’ll want to finish in the top seven and make the play-offs.

“They’re eight points off that target, but they have a couple of games in hand on some teams above them, so anything is possible.”

Rooney’s familiarity with the MLS as a player means he will have a head start on Inter Miami boss Neville, who came in with no previous US experience.

“It’ll be a big help Wayne going into a club he already knows from his time there as a player,” said Heath. “He’ll know the coach Chad Ashton, who was made interim manager before Wayne came in, and Steve Birnbaum, DC’s captain.

“He also knows all about the travelling, the time differences in the USA and the climate changes.

“And it seems he’s made a decent start. They drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew, so he’s immediately instilled some confidence after they lost 7-0 at Philadelphia Union before Wayne came in. “That was

their worst defeat in the MLS, so it’s clear Wayne has quickly got amongst them and spelled a few things out.”

Heath reckons Rooney, if he needs one, already has a solid role model in how to handle MLS pressure and expectation in Neville.

The Inter Miami boss might have lifelong pal David Beckham as an owner, but he’s had to develop and deliver a strategy with the eyes of the MLS on the newcomers.

Heath added: “It took Phil a while to get his bearings, but he’s doing OK now. “He’s stamped his authority on it and made some bold decisions. It wasn’t easy to drop a big player like Gonzalo

Higuain or get rid of Rodolfo Pizzaro. “But he’s made a massive overhaul of the squad and gone with players he thinks will perform for him, not household names.

“We chatted when we played Miami recently and he’s loving it. I’m sure

Wayne will, too.”