Rooney’s tenure at Home Park began with high expectations, as he was hailed as the “perfect candidate” to deliver an exciting, attacking brand of football. However, Plymouth’s campaign under his guidance quickly unraveled. The team struggled offensively, scoring the joint fewest goals in the league, while also conceding the most across England’s top four divisions.

The pressure intensified after a 2-0 loss to Oxford United on Sunday, marking their sixth defeat in a nine-game winless streak. Although Rooney dismissed criticism as something he didn’t take “personally,” the result sealed his fate.

This marks another short-lived managerial stint for the former England and Manchester United captain. He previously endured a challenging spell at Birmingham City, which ended in December after just 83 days and nine defeats in 15 matches.

Assistant head coach Mike Phelan and first-team coach Simon Ireland have also exited Plymouth, leaving the club in search of new leadership to steer them away from relegation.