Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney links up with forgotten Man City rival as he returns to management with Plymouth
WAYNE ROONEY is set to link up with former Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari after being appointed Plymouth Argyle manager.
The Premier League cult hero joined the Pilgrims as an academy coach earlier this year.
And he will now work under Rooney after the Manchester United icon was confirmed as Plymouth’s new manager.
The pair twice faced off in the Manchester Derby, in 2008 and 2010, and Benjani will likely be hoping to learn from his former rival.
Benjani said of his spell in Devon: “I still absolutely love the game, and at the moment I’m working as a coach at the academy of Plymouth Argyle.
“It definitely helps, I think, when people know who you are… it’s an advantage, but with Plymouth I wanted to give myself a different challenge, to go and work for a club where I’d had no previous relationship, so everything was new to me.
“I’d like to think this is what I’ll be doing for the next few years, and that I’ll improve as a coach, because it’s something I love to do, and I’m in a great place right now for my career.
“I’m learning so much every day; you know, sometimes you can think you know everything about the game, but there’s always more you can learn, which is what I’m doing at the academy now. I’m learning a lot about the system, and about how things work.
“It’s interesting to see, and I think I’m improving every day. I’m roaming around the age groups, from the under-12s to the under-18s, which is teaching me a lot. So, let’s hope that five years from now I’m somewhere else, because I love coaching.”
Rooney, 38, has signed a three-year deal with Plymouth following talks last week.
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It comes just four months after he was sacked as Birmingham City manager following a run of just two wins in 15 games.
He said after joining the club: “Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the chairman and board for the faith they have shown in me.
“This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.
“I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park.
“The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.
“I can’t wait for the Championship season to start in August.”