Wayne Rooney said he would be open to joining former teammate Michael Carrick’s coaching staff when he takes over as interim manager of Manchester United following the departure of Ruben Amorim last week.
Rooney played 559 games and scored 253 goals in a 13-year spell at the trophy-laden club. He retired in 2021 and has held managerial positions at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle.
Asked whether he would consider joining Carrick’s coaching department, the 40-year-old said on BBC show The Wayne Rooney Show: «Of course I would. It’s a no-brainer.»
“By the way, I’m not begging for a job here.
“To be clear, if I was asked to come in, of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing.”
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After retiring from football in 2018, Carrick remained at United as part of Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff and was also part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad when the Portuguese was sacked.
Carrick, who had a brief spell as caretaker boss after Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021, spent two-and-a-half years as Middlesbrough manager from October 2022 to June 2025.
“I think it would fit together really well,” Rooney said.
“Michael loves the football club and would like to do something if he can.
«He lives and breathes that club, that’s what the club needs.»
United, who are seventh in the Premier League, face Manchester City on Saturday.
Published on January 13, 2026
