DC United have confirmed the departure of their manager, Wayne Rooney, a move that brings an end to a peculiar stipulation within his contract.
Following a 2-0 triumph against Eastern Conference competitors New York City at Audi Field, the announcement of Rooney’s decision to step down from his managerial role with mutual agreement was made public this Saturday.
The Manchester United legend took over the reins of DC United in July 2022, post his stint with Derby County. Under his leadership, the Washington-based team had a tally of 53 matches, securing 14 wins, settling for 13 draws, and facing 26 defeats. This includes their recent accomplishment against New York City.
With Rooney’s tenure as the head coach concluding, attention has turned to a distinctive term in his contract, now rendered void.
Upon joining DC, Rooney reportedly negotiated a provision with the club’s management that would enable him to head back to England if a managerial position in the Premier League presented itself.
This provision, informally dubbed the “Coleen release clause”, is a nod to his spouse, Coleen Rooney. Last year, when Wayne was pondering the move back to the US, it’s believed that Coleen was supportive of his decision, having previously lived in the States with him and their four children during his playing tenure from 2018-20.
However, when Wayne took on the managerial role in 2022, the family chose to remain in the UK.
“His contract lets him to speak to Premier League clubs if there’s a job going. I think he’ll only return if it’s a big club, but being home with Coleen and the boys would be a big factor for him.”, a source told Mirror.
