WAYNE ROONEY MAKES PAINFUL CONFESSION ABOUT HIS KIDS

Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney spent time managing overseas and across England but those roles didn't come without their challenges - on and off the field

Wayne Rooney has opened up(Image: Marco Luzzani, Getty Images)

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has opened up about how management kept him away from his children for extended periods. The Premier League icon hung up his boots in 2021 after a stellar playing career and, like many retired footballers, transitioned into management.

His final playing stint was with Derby County, where he became permanent manager after retiring. After leaving the Rams, Rooney spent just over a year managing DC United in America before returning to England. His spell at Birmingham City proved short-lived, being dismissed in early 2024 before taking his most recent position with Plymouth Argyle, which ended later that year.

"I didn't see my kids for months and months when I was living in DC," Rooney disclosed on The Smith Bros podcast. "At Plymouth, I lived there by myself - you'd see them if you were lucky, once a week.

"Going into the punditry work, it's not as 'every day'. Obviously with match days or weekends (it's busier), Amazon's every Tuesday, fly out Monday, fly home Wednesday, which is three days.

Rooney was at the helm for DC United between 2022 and 2023(Image: Getty)

"I just do my podcast from home. I've got more time now to go and watch my kids play and be around that more so I'm happy with it."

Following the end of his stint at Plymouth, Rooney has transitioned into the world of punditry, appearing across various broadcasters whilst also fronting his own BBC programme - The Wayne Rooney Show.

As the Toffees legend explained, working in the media allows him to be more present for his kids, even whilst juggling a packed schedule.

The former England captain shares four sons with wife Colleen - who finished as runner-up on 2024's I'm A Celeb. Eldest lad Kai, now 16, is coming through the ranks at United's academy, forging his own path in the beautiful game.

Wayne Rooney, Kai Rooney and Coleen Rooney(Image: Photo by JMEnternational/Getty Images)

Then there's Klay, Kit and Cass, though Kit has stepped away from football. Klay follows in Kai's footsteps at United whilst youngest Cass is developing at Everton's academy.

During the podcast, Rooney opened up about Kai's progress. His firstborn landed a boot sponsorship deal with Puma aged just 12 back in 2022, though he's unable to sport them whilst playing for United's youth sides due to academy regulations.

Rooney revealed: "He's obviously with Puma but when he plays for the Manchester United U16s, something which I really like is he can't wear his Puma boots.

"All the academy have to wear the same boots. They do it because there's people from areas where they can't afford certain boots so I think it's really good.

"But he's played for the U18s a few times and he can then wear his Puma boots. He's doing well to be fair to him."

- Dylan James