David Wagner, a leading candidate to replace Wayne Rooney as Plymouth Argyle manager, has reportedly ended discussions with the Championship club.
The former Norwich City and Huddersfield Town boss has declined the opportunity to take charge of the Pilgrims, leaving the club’s leadership scrambling for alternatives.
Plymouth’s Managerial Hunt Hits Another Snag
The search for a new manager at Home Park continues to present challenges. Wayne Rooney’s departure on New Year’s Eve has left Plymouth in a precarious position, with the club currently sitting at the bottom of the Championship table. Despite approaching Wagner earlier this week, sources suggest the 52-year-old is not interested in managing a side battling relegation.
Wagner, who famously led Huddersfield Town to Premier League promotion and steered Norwich City to the play-offs during his time at Carrow Road, appeared to be an ideal candidate. However, his decision to walk away from talks leaves Plymouth exploring other options, including names such as Steven Schumacher and Neil Harris.
David Wagner
Wagner began his managerial career with Borussia Dortmund II in 2011, overseeing the development of young players. He gained prominence as Huddersfield Town’s manager from 2015 to 2019, where he achieved remarkable success, leading the club to Premier League promotion in 2017 via the playoffs—a historic feat for Huddersfield after a 45-year absence from the top flight.
After leaving Huddersfield, Wagner managed Schalke 04 from 2019 to 2020, enduring a challenging spell. He later took charge of Swiss club Young Boys in 2021, guiding them to domestic success. He became the manager of Norwich City in January 2023, succeeding Dean Smith, but left in May 2024 after play-off defeat against Leeds United.
Post-Rooney Plymouth
Since Rooney’s departure, Kevin Nancekivell and Joe Edwards have taken temporary charge. Rooney’s tenure at Plymouth ended following a string of disappointing results, culminating in a 2-0 loss to Oxford United. Fans had grown increasingly frustrated with the club’s performances, despite Rooney’s previous successes at Derby County and D.C. United.
Senior officials at Plymouth have reportedly interviewed seven candidates in an effort to secure a new manager before their FA Cup third-round clash against Brentford this weekend. The pressure to find a suitable replacement is mounting as the Pilgrims aim to salvage their season.
Writer’s View
Plymouth Argyle’s ongoing struggles underline the immense difficulty of finding a manager willing to take on a relegation-threatened side. Wagner’s decision to step away is a significant blow, as his experience in achieving promotion would have been invaluable. With time running out before the FA Cup tie, the club’s leadership must act decisively to bring stability and spark a turnaround.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
