- Wayne Rooney was appointed new manager of Plymouth Argyle in May
- Rooney’s first official press conference as Plymouth manager took place on Thursday
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Wayne Rooney spoke of his determination to prove his worth as a manager when he was formally introduced by Plymouth on Thursday.
The former England captain was appointed by the Sky Bet Championship club in May.
Previously, Rooney lasted just three months in charge of Birmingham.
The 38-year-old was sacked by the Blues in January, just 83 days into his tenure, in which he oversaw nine defeats in 15 games.
Birmingham were sixth in the Championship at the time of Rooney’s appointment, but finished the campaign relegated.
Wayne Rooney held his first press conference as Plymouth Argyle manager on Thursday
Rooney has previously managed three other clubs: Derby, DC United and Birmingham.
He has not yet had great success as a coach, but he achieved legendary status as a player.
The former Manchester United and Everton striker, who previously managed Derby and DC United, is intent on putting that experience behind him.
Rooney told reporters at a news conference: “You always have to prove yourself. I think that’s what I had for 20 years as a player and, as a manager, wherever you are, whatever job you have, you have to prove yourself. That’s normal, it’s a pressure that comes with the job.
“And of course when you take on a job you leave the door open. If you don’t get results, there are obviously consequences, as there were in Birmingham.
“But now I’m here, I’m ready, I’m excited.
‘I took a lot of time to reflect on what happened in Birmingham. Sometimes things happen for a reason. The good thing that came out of it is that I’m here now and I’m here to succeed. I really believe in that.
“I’m a confident person and I believe I can do it. I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Plymouth finished 21st in the EFL Championship last season, missing out by just two points.
But Rooney hopes that, given time, he can take Plymouth to a much higher position.
Rooney succeeds Ian Foster, who was sacked in April when the Pilgrims were in danger of relegation.
Argyle managed to survive on the final day of the season, while Birmingham were relegated to the third division.
Rooney hopes to take the club back to the top flight but admits it is a long-term ambition.
He said: ‘Of course I’m not going to go out and say we’re looking to win the Premier League within a year.
We believe that we have to be realistic and what we are trying to do is take advantage of the situation in which the club has found itself in the last five years, which has been improving and improving over time.
‘I think we have to keep moving forward little by little and keep trying to improve, and certainly improve compared to last season.
“Hopefully, at the end of the time period we have set, we can get closer to that Premier League.”
