Misspelled names on the players’ shirts, four goals scored, 30 conceded and a completely pathetic performance across the board: it was a terrible start to Wayne Rooney’s life as head coach of Plymouth Argyle.
The legendary former England striker spent much of the game with his arms folded in his coaching zone, powerless to influence the ridiculously one-sided game.
When the greatest English player of his generation turned up in deepest, darkest Devon on May 25, he raised eyebrows, but nobody could have predicted such a poor start.
Rooney’s previous spell as manager of Birmingham City ended in disgrace with a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United on New Year’s Day. Less than 24 hours later he was sacked, ending a reign that had lasted 83 days and produced just two wins.
After much reflection, Rooney considered where it all went wrong. He had the humility to speak to many people in football about his experiences playing for Derby County, DC United and Birmingham.
It was a terrible start for Wayne Rooney as coach of Plymouth Argyle on Sunday
The Pilgrims were crushed 4-0 by Sheffield Wednesday in their first game under Rooney.
Like so many former top players whose coaching careers stall, Rooney could have opted for the comfort of a television studio as a pundit, but the allure of football touched him deep down, as he told Mail Sport at the weekend.
For Rooney – who grew up on the streets of Croxteth in inner Liverpool before making his debut for Everton at 16 – football is a drug and he needs his thrills. When Argyle offered him the job in May following their successful battle against relegation, the 38-year-old accepted.
It’s a long way from his wife Coleen – although she was here in the stands on Sunday to support her husband – and his four children, who still live in Cheshire, but Rooney seems to be enjoying life in the Plymouth hot seat. At least he did until things got serious in this opening Championship game away to Sheffield Wednesday.
Rooney’s men – two of whom, Adam Forshaw and Ibrahim Cissoko, had been given shirts with misspelled names – were outplayed by an Owls side who, like Plymouth, only secured Championship status on the final day of last season.
Few can forget Rooney’s talismanic influence as a player who was both intimidating and inspirational.
However, he struggled to get his side going in Birmingham and Plymouth looked hopeless for most of the game.
For the former Manchester United and Everton striker, football is a drug and he needs his fix
Adam Forshaw (left) and Ibrahim Cissoko received jerseys with misspelled names
Rooney brought in new signings Nathanael Ogbeta, Victor Palsson, Muhamed Tijani and Cissoko, but Argyle’s play lacked imagination and confidence. Rooney denied that this was due to a lack of motivation.
Nevertheless, the Liverpool player had to admit: “Today it was not good enough – I think that is clear – and I am disappointed, angry and surprised.”
“Everything we saw in pre-season surprised me, but the fundamentals of the game were not good enough, whether it was getting the ball, tackling or being aggressive.”
“We knew that Sheffield Wednesday were one of the best teams in the league last season when it came to crossing and passing – and all four of their goals came that way.”
“We had a game plan, but we didn’t execute it at all. This is a wake-up call for all of us.”
Owls debutant Jamal Lowe scored his first goal in the first half before the floodgates opened after the break.
Brendan Galloway headed into his own net and Josh Windass slammed home the third goal before substitute Michael Smith rubbed salt in Rooney’s wounds with a fourth goal in the closing stages.
Josh Windass scored alongside Max Lowe, Brandon Galloway and Michael Smith
Rooney admitted Plymouth’s performance was “not good enough” but remains encouraged
As on New Year’s Day at Elland Road, Rooney endured severe abuse from the home team’s fans.
As Rooney walked towards the away end of the game, the name of his Wednesday opponent Danny Rohl was roared loud and clear by the cheering home fans. The Owls, it seemed, were on the rise, but Rooney played down the significance of the result.
He added: “It’s the first game of the season and I’ve seen what we’ve done in pre-season. That gives me courage. So there’s no reason to panic.”
