Wayne Rooney Describes Recent Period as ‘Hardest Week’ of Managerial Career, Expresses Embarrassment

Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney stated that the past week has been the most challenging of his managerial tenure, adding that he felt ’embarrassed’ to approach and acknowledge the club’s supporters following their defeat at Bristol City. The Pilgrims have conceded a total of 10 goals across two recent matches, stemming from a 6-1 loss to Norwich City on Tuesday and a 4-0 defeat against Bristol City on Saturday. These outcomes have positioned the team, led by the former England captain, just two points and one place above the Championship relegation zone, with a goal difference that is eight worse than any other team in the division. Rooney commented, “I’ve been criticised since I was a 16-year-old boy, my whole career. What you always want is weapons to fight back with – at the minute we’ve got none. So we have to take it on the chin and hope that we get through this, because the last two games arguably have been the toughest and hardest week of my managerial career. So I need to find a way to get through it, but also get that message through to the players to make sure I lift them.” Plymouth Argyle has conceded 38 goals this season, marking the worst defensive record across both the Premier League and the EFL. The recent loss represented the fourth occasion this season that Argyle has allowed four or more goals in an away fixture. The team holds the league’s poorest away record, having suffered eight losses and secured two draws in their 10 matches played on the road. Speaking to BBC Radio Devon at Ashton Gate after Argyle’s shortest away journey of the season, Rooney further remarked, “I know the support the fans have given us, and they’ve come here in numbers and it was the same on Tuesday night. It was very difficult walking over and not feel embarrassed to show our appreciation to the fans.” Rooney had implemented six changes to his squad, which was affected by injuries, in an effort to address the issues observed during the match against Norwich City. However, following a goalless first half at Ashton Gate, Rooney observed that Argyle “completely collapsed” after conceding a goal 12 minutes into the second half. Anis Mehmeti set up Scott Twine’s opening goal, then scored two himself, before Sinclair Armstrong completed the comprehensive victory. Rooney, who was appointed as Argyle head coach in May, added, “It’s at a point now where the players need to understand that they need to give more and they need to show more character, more fight, more desire. I simplified the game as much as I could for them, to not overcomplicate things, and ultimately it’s my responsibility – I take full responsibility for the result, I pick the team, I pick the tactics. But I think the players are at a stage now where they need to hear, not just in the dressing room, but they need to hear it from outside as well, that they have to show more. We’ve got a duty to this football club to show a pride, a respect, a passion, a fight for this club and the last two games I feel it hasn’t been there.”