Wayne Rooney has opened up on how he has learnt from his failures as Birmingham manager in his first interview since being appointment Plymouth boss.

The 38-year-old was axed by the Midlands club after just 15 matches and 83 days back in January, in a season where the Blues were ultimately relegated to League One despite sitting in the top half prior to Rooney's arrival.

Just four months later, he was announced as the person to lead Argyle, who narrowly avoided relegation themselves last season, and has reportedly been house hunting in the south west with wife Coleen.

Rooney has now given his first interview as boss after putting pen to paper on a deal at Home Park, speaking to the club website before getting to work.

The former Manchester United man expressed how he plans to use his experiences at his past clubs to help him in his new role, but appeared reluctant to refer to his time at Birmingham after a stint to forget.

Wayne Rooney has opened up on his previous managerial struggles in his first interview as Plymouth manager

'I had my playing career but you have to move on,' he said. 'I have put a lot of work and time in to try and better myself as a coach, I want to be a coach who helps players, academy players are really important. I was a player who came into the first team at 16, a lot are good enough but don't get the chance. 

Read More

Wayne Rooney at risk of upsetting the locals in Britain's costliest coastal hot-spot ALREADY after calling Devon accent 'the worst I've heard in my life' - as he house-hunts with wife Coleen

'The clubs I've been at have all had challenges, administration with Derby, I went out to DC to experience something a little bit different, improve and develop, and I found my way here to Argyle and I feel I am the best shape I can be in.

'Since January I have had time to reflect on my previous job. Coming here last season with Birmingham, I was really impressed with the fans and the set-up so once this role way available I really wanted to explore it.'

He went onto discuss how he wants his team to play, highlighting the need for players to feel free with the ball at their feet when on the attack.

At Birmingham, though the former England captain's side were expansive in attack, they were often sloppy at the other end of the pitch, with his replacement, Tony Mowbray, unable to take them to survival, 

'I really enjoy and want players to play with freedom,' he said. 'Football has become really structured in recent years and of course you need that but especially in the attacking areas, it is important players have a freedom to be creative and make mistakes. If you don't do that you are playing within yourself.'

Rooney has been enjoying varied stints as a pundit since losing his job at Birmingham, featuring for the likes of TNT Sports and Sky Sports.

He has been confirmed as a pundit on BBC's Euro 2024 coverage this summer, but his move to Plymouth threw that into doubt with the tournament running until July 14 and the Championship season starting less than a month later. 

'It will be really busy.' Rooney said of his upcoming schedule. 'Every day now is a working day, if I am here, with my children, or I have some commitments with the European Championships as well.

'But every day is time to bring players in, work with the coaches on how we want to play and getting ready for pre-season training.'