Wayne Rooney‘s dismissal as Plymouth boss has created added embarrassment for the Championship club as the former Man United and England captain features as the January cover star for their 2025 calendar.
Rooney was sacked on Tuesday after just 25 matches in charge, with the club in freefall and rock bottom of the Championship.
The 39-year-old is set to return to his wife and children in Cheshire after another disastrous spell in management ended after just seven months.
In a statement he thanked the club for giving him the job in May, declaring that Argyle would always have a ‘special place in my heart’ and he and the fans would have ‘memories that we will share forever’.
Plymouth fans may be in for a shock on Wednesday if they have bought the club’s official calendar for 2025, with Rooney’s image having been chosen for the month of January.
Fans reacted on social media, acknowledging the awkwardness of their now ex-manager’s appearance.
Sacked Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney is the January poster boy for the club’s 2025 calendar
Fans noted the awkwardness of Rooney’s inclusion following his sacking as manager
The calendar is currently on sale for £4.50 ahead of the start of the New Year
Plymouth’s calendar had initially been priced at £8.99, but has now been placed on sale for £4.50 ahead of the New Year.
The club’s website had noted the possibility for changes which could impact the accuracy of the calendar during the year.
‘While every effort is made to ensure that the players and information included in this calendar are correct and accurate at the time of going to press, Plymouth Argyle cannot be held responsible for any changes arising from activity in the transfer windows nor for errors omissions,’ the website noted.
Rooney oversaw 25 matches in all competitions at Plymouth, with his side having recorded just five wins.
His dismissal is another blow to a faltering managerial career, after he was sacked as Birmingham manager on January 2 after a disastrous 15 match spell in charge.
Rooney took a moment to thank Plymouth fans for their support during his time at the club.
The departing Rooney said: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, in particular Simon Hallett and Neil Dewsnip who I shared great relationships with.
‘Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as Head Coach and I wish them all the best for the future.
Rooney leaves Plymouth with the club bottom of the Championship table after a dismal run
‘To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever.
‘I would also like to give a special mention to my coaching staff Kevin Nancekivell, Simon Ireland, Darryl Flahavan and Mike Phelan for their knowledge, dedication, help and support.
‘Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to look out for and take interest in their results.’
Plymouth are currently bottom of the Championship with four wins this season, with the Pilgrims having suffered 13 league defeats.
‘Plymouth Argyle can confirm that the club and Head Coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect,’ a club statement read.
‘Departing the club with Rooney will be Assistant Head Coach Mike Phelan and first team coach Simon Ireland.
‘We would like to thank Wayne and his team for all their efforts and wish them well for the future.’
Rooney has been living in an upmarket rented flat in the Devon city since taking over as head coach of the club this summer, as he sought to rebuild his managerial career.
Plymouth are currently bottom of the Championship with four league wins so far this season
His dismissal will serve as a major blow to the former England captain’s managerial ambitions
While his loft-style apartment is luxurious and comfortable, it is a far cry from Rooney’s £20 million six-bedroom Cheshire mansion which boasts a snooker room, a home cinema, indoor swimming pool, an underground spa, wine cellar, a stable area with space for 14 horses and a football pitch.
Away from the training ground Rooney has regularly been spotted on nights out around the city including belting out Ed Sheeran songs during a karaoke night at the Cider Press bar in August.
But his ‘bachelor lifestyle’ hundreds of miles from home has also reportedly been causing concern to those close to him, including his wife Coleen.
Rooney on Monday hit back at speculation suggesting that he took a mystery woman back to his upmarket flat, insisting it’s ‘simply not true’ she entered alone.