Wayne Rooney can take his management career to the next level in the MLS.
And he could be the flag-bearer for a generation of up and coming young British bosses looking to make a name for themselves across the pond. That's the view of Minnesota United boss Adrian Heath, who faced off against fellow Evertonian Rooney in the early hours of the morning as the former Manchester United and England star took charge of his second game as DC United manager in Minneapolis.
Heath, a 14-year veteran of football in America after managing Orlando City before moving to Minnesota in 2017, has seen plenty of managers come and go in his time in the US. And after watching Rooney's re-introduction to the MLS, he's certain the former Derby County boss is primed to add another impressive chapter to his short managerial career.
Heath says: “I watched his press conference at Washington when he was unveiled as their new coach and I was immediately struck by his drive and inner-belief. You don't achieve what he has in the game without a winning mentality and desire – and I know he'll bring that to his role at DC.
“The football world will be watching how Wayne performs but that's nothing new for him. He can cope with that spotlight and I'm sure a lot of younger managers will be looking on with interest to see how both he and Phil Neville at Inter Miami progress.
“The MLS has a growing reputation – and I've no doubt Wayne's arrival will raise that profile even further. After what happened at Derby this will be a completely different experience because there is no relegation or promotion in the MLS.
“Even so, Wayne is hugely competitive and demanding and I'm sure that even though DC are struggling at the bottom of the table he'll want to finish in the top seven and make the play-offs. They're eight points off that target at the moment but they have a couple of games in hand on some teams above them so anything is possible.
“They've also been missing a couple of players, in particular goalkeeper Bill Hamid who has been injured, so his return will be vital.”
Rooney's familiarity with the MLS will mean he'll have a head start on Inter Miami boss Phil Neville who came into American soccer with no previous experience. “It'll be a big help Wayne going into a club he already knows from his time there as a player,” says Heath.
“He'll know the coach Chad Ashton, who was made interim manager before Wayne came in, and Steve Birnbaum, DC's captain. He also knows all about the travelling, the time differences in the USA and the climate changes where one match might be cold at altitude and the next you've got 100-degree heat in Dallas.
“That'll help him quickly get to grips with what's been happening there and it seems he's made a decent start. They drew 2-2 with Columbus Crew so he's obviously immediately instilled some confidence after they lost 7-0 at Philadelphia Union before Wayne came in.
“That was their worst defeat in the MLS so it's clear Wayne has quickly got amongst them and spelled a few things out.” Heath reckons Rooney, if he needs one, already has a solid role model in how to handle pressure and expectation in Neville.
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The Inter Miami boss might have lifelong pal David Beckham as an owner, but he's had to develop and deliver a strategy with the eyes of the MLS on the glitzy newcomers.
Heath says: “It took Phil a while to get his bearings but he's doing okay now. He's stamped his authority on it and made some bold decisions. It wasn't easy to drop a big player like Gonzalo Higuain or get rid of Rodolfo Pizzaro, who cost £12million.
“But he's made a massive overhaul of the squad and Phil has gone with players he thinks will perform for him and not house-hold names. We chatted when we played Miami recently and he's loving it. I'm sure Wayne will too.”
