Wayne Rooney makes management admission and insists punditry move is NOT for money

Wayne Rooney makes management admission and insists punditry move is NOT for money Wayne Rooney hasn't been in management since leaving Plymouth Argyle in December 2024 after a dismal start to the season, and he's been focussed on punditry ever since Wayne Rooney has revealed the true reason why he's focusing on a career in punditry - and it's not for the money. Rooney, 40, is a regular on our screens, working for broadcasters such as the BBC and Amazon. The former England captain also co-hosts a Manchester United podcast with content creator Mark Goldbridge for Gary Neville's network, The Overlap. Rooney's biggest gig, however, remains Match of the Day after signing a deal at the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season reportedly worth £800,000 per year. Suffice to say, especially after his prestigious playing career and spell in management, Rooney isn't short of income. On his new Disney+ documentary, The Real Rooneys, the United legend explained that being a pundit gives him purpose - and a reason to leave the house. "I'm not doing it for money, I'm doing it for a purpose rather than just being at the house all day," Rooney said. "There's a possibility I'll never manage again, so moving forward... I need a role on The Masked Singer, but I'd get hammered'. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page Rooney was last in the dugout at Plymouth Argyle, managing just four wins in 23 Championship games. The ex-striker left his role in December 2024 with Plymouth bottom of the table. "I'm a realist I think you know as a player when your career is going to end and you can prepare for that," Rooney continued. "So the next stage in management for instance you don't know whether you'll be there a year, two years, 10 years or three months. "You're not prepared when you lose the job. I'm enjoying Match of the Day and it's time to learn and get better at what I'm doing." And Rooney already has another gig lined up. The 40-year-old will be the protagonist of a new show from the BBC called 'Can You Beat Wayne Rooney?' What do you make of Wayne Rooney's punditry skills? Have your say in the comments section. Every week, Rooney will face a new famous opponent in a test of football trivia, with comedian Alex Brooker hosting the show. It will be available on BBC Sport's Football YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer. In a statement, the BBC said: "While guests will arrive convinced they can beat him, every question unlocks a story from Wayne's extraordinary journey through football, taking audiences behind the scenes of dressing rooms, title races, international tournaments and some of the sport's most iconic moments. "Whether revisiting famous goals, legendary teammates or career-defining matches, Can You Beat Wayne Rooney? offers football fans a unique opportunity to hear the stories behind the headlines while watching Wayne's competitive side emerge as he tries to protect his reputation against a fresh challenger every week." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.