Plymouth Argyle have confirmed that head coach Wayne Rooney has left the club by mutual agreement, with immediate effect. Rooney’s departure comes as the Devon club finds itself at the bottom of the Championship table, with just 18 points to their name, four points adrift of safety.
During his tenure, the former England captain managed to secure only four wins from 23 league matches, tying for the fewest victories in the division. Argyle’s form has been particularly concerning in recent weeks, as they failed to win any of their past nine fixtures, suffering six defeats in that stretch. Their latest setback came in a 2-0 loss to Oxford United on Sunday.
In a statement following his departure, Rooney expressed gratitude to the club and its supporters.
“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,” Rooney said. “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. I wish them all the best for the future.”
Rooney also paid tribute to Plymouth’s passionate supporters. “To the Green Army – thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever.”
The 38-year-old coach acknowledged the contributions of his backroom staff, singling out Kevin Nancekivell, Simon Ireland, Darryl Flahavan, and Mike Phelan for their dedication 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,” Rooney concluded.
The club now faces a crucial period as they seek to appoint a new head coach to steer them away from the relegation zone. Argyle supporters will be hoping for a swift turnaround in fortunes as the Championship season enters a critical stage.
