Wayne Rooney is being considered for a remarkable return to management with Northern Premier League champions Macclesfield, according to reports.
The 39-year-old has been out of work since December 2024, when he parted company with Plymouth Argyle after a dismal spell in the Championship.
Sacked By Plymouth
Rooney, who had only taken charge of the Pilgrims in May 2024, won just five of his 23 games before his exit, which came amid a slide down the table. His brief tenure followed a similarly difficult stint at Birmingham City, and many speculated he might take an extended break from management.
However, journalist Alan Nixon reports that Macclesfield are now eyeing the former England striker as a potential replacement for Robbie Savage, should their current boss depart for Forest Green Rovers.
Savage guided Macclesfield to 109 points and the Northern Premier League title last season, putting him on the radar of clubs higher up the football pyramid. Should he accept a new challenge in the National League, Macclesfield would need a high-profile successor—and Rooney’s name is firmly in the frame.
The appeal is clear: Rooney lives locally, is actively involved in football through punditry and youth coaching, and may relish the chance to rebuild his managerial career away from the spotlight.
Yet there are complications. Rooney is currently committed to an ambassadorial role with Football Escapes, a Dubai-based youth development programme. He’s due to take part in a five-day coaching camp during October half-term, potentially clashing with early-season non-league duties.
Despite the uncertainty, the idea of Rooney taking charge of a non-league outfit is gaining traction. A move to Macclesfield would mark a dramatic step down from his previous posts in the Championship, Major League Soccer, and at Derby County—but could offer the reset his coaching path arguably needs.
Rooney has spoken before about his desire to succeed in management and his willingness to put himself outside of his comfort zone. His brief spell at Plymouth was marked by an emphasis on culture and leadership, even if results failed to materialise.
Writer’s View
For all his struggles at Plymouth and Birmingham, Wayne Rooney still commands attention in English football circles. A move to Macclesfield would be as unconventional as it is intriguing, allowing him to strip things back and focus on team-building without the glare of media scrutiny.
Should Savage leave, Macclesfield would be getting more than just a name—they’d be bringing in a man still hungry to prove himself, and perhaps more motivated than ever to rebuild from the bottom up. Whether it happens or not, it’s a story that will turn heads across the EFL and beyond.
