Wayne Rooney reveals he wants to manage England one day after starting his coaching badges
Three Lions record goalscorer has been preparing for life when he hangs up his boots and would not say no to the national team
WAYNE ROONEY has admitted he would love the chance to manage England when he hangs up his boots.
The Three Lions record goalscorer revealed in a wide-ranging exclusive interview with talkSport how has begun doing his coaching badges.
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And the Everton striker — who recently retired from international duty — says he does not want to go into media, but instead take on managing the national team.
He told talkSPORT: “I’d love to go into management. I’m doing my badges now and I think it would be a waste to have the knowledge I’ve picked up over the years to not have a go at it.
“I’ve always been interested in watching games, and the tactical side of games, and speaking to the managers I’ve worked under about how we’re going to approach certain games.
“I’ve always watched football and studied it to try to see different things during the game, and I know a lot of players I’ve played with don’t do that. They’re more into watching tricks on YouTube, and stuff like that.
“But I watch games and try to work how teams are going to try to break the other team down, and vice versa.
"So I’ve always been quite aware of the tactical side of the game and I believe that can help you on the pitch, certainly as you get a bit older as you need that [knowledge] to help create a bit of space for yourself, and a bit more time.”
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When asked about one day taking on the England job, Roo added: “England manager – you never know. I wouldn’t say no!”
Rooney played under a number of managers during his time with the Three Lions.
But one man stands out above the rest as the best in his eyes.
“For England, under Sven [Goran Eriksson] we had a good team. He was really good for the team.
"I enjoyed that time with Sven, and the time with Roy Hodgson. Obviously they’ve all ended in disappointment at tournaments, but in terms of qualifiers and how the team played, and personally under Roy, it was my best time for England in terms of goals.
“Fergie [Sir Alex Ferguon] was the best. Nothing was complicated.
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"I think nowadays sometimes there is a bit too much information and thought going into it.
“Sometimes all you need is, ‘you’re better than them, go and win’. Sometimes that’s all you need.
"He had the balance right. His man-management was second to none.
"He knew the players he could have a go at and which ones he needed to put his arm around. That shows in his record.”
TalkSPORT's exclusive interview, with Mark Saggers asking the questions, airs at 1pm today in association with the Wayne Rooney Foundation.
Working with the Foundation, Wayne hopes to raise funds for groups dedicated to helping disadvantaged and vulnerable kids including the NSPCC, Claire House Children’s Hospice and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
