Redaction Simon Brett with Dan Murphy
Published on 2024-02-22 08:00:00
Simon Jordan has delivered a scathing response to Wayne Rooney’s expressed desire to work with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. The former Manchester United player is currently unemployed after being dismissed as Birmingham City manager in January, following a win record of only two out of fifteen matches. His tenure at Derby County and DC United in the MLS also did not yield highly favorable results.
Rooney openly admitted that he would welcome the opportunity to work as an assistant to Guardiola, should it ever arise. This statement did not sit well with radio pundit Simon Jordan, who cast doubt on the likelihood of Rooney’s association with Guardiola. Jordan sarcastically remarked that if Guardiola had heard that Rooney wanted to ‘walk’ to Manchester City, he would “walk to Catalonia to avoid him.”
Jordan further criticized Rooney’s managerial career as insignificant and questioned his qualifications given his lackluster performance. He suggested that learning under the tutelage of Premier League’s greatest minds, such as Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp, would be a valuable opportunity for Rooney. This suggestion is in stark contrast to Rooney’s choice to manage in the United States and bring back unfavorable results. Jordan likened Rooney’s managerial performance to that of an assistant coach rather than a head coach.
While Jordan’s criticism is harsh, it is also difficult to refute. Guardiola has built an exceptional backroom team comprised of coaches with the potential to be successful managers. The current assistant, Juanma Lillo, has over 40 years of management experience. Mikel Arteta, who previously served as an assistant to Guardiola, has since enjoyed success after taking over at Arsenal. Given these credentials, Rooney’s qualifications as an assistant coach are called into question.
In conclusion, Simon Jordan’s response may be blunt, but it raises valid concerns about Rooney’s potential role under Guardiola. Guardiola’s success relies on an experienced and qualified coaching team, and Rooney’s managerial track record may not meet that standard.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
