Wayne Rooney set to become new D.C. United coach

After firing Hernan Losada in April, D.C. United was in search for a new coach, and the soccer club settled on a familiar name to fill the role.

Wayne Rooney is set to become the new coach of the D.C.-based Major League Soccer team, according to multiple reports late Sunday night. The Washington Post was first to report the news. The team has yet to announce the deal.

Rooney, once one of the best and most well-known soccer players in the world, will return to the District after playing for D.C. United in 2018 and 2019. Rooney, 36, is the leading goal-scorer in Manchester United history, tallying 253 goals with the English Premier League team between 2004 and 2017. 

Rooney retired from playing in January 2021 after he was named the coach of Derby County, a lower-level English football club. He resigned from the post last month after the team was relegated to a lower division. 

Rooney will officially replace Chad Ashton, who took over as interim coach after Losada was fired six games into the season. While the details of the contract aren’t finalized, The Washington Post reported that the deal is expected to be for multiple years for at least $1 million per year. 

D.C. United is one of the worst teams in the MLS this season with a 5-10-2 record. The club is tied for last in the 28-team league with 17 points. Its most recent loss, a 7-0 defeat versus Philadelphia, matched the MLS record for largest margin of defeat. 

• This story is based in part on wire service reports.