‘Witch hunt’ – Simon Jordan’s Wayne Rooney take resurfaces to prove England legend’s ‘theory’ wrong
Yesterday at 12:55 PM
Simon Jordan has slammed Plymouth’s decision to appoint Wayne Rooney after he was sacked last week.
The former England striker was dismissed by the Pilgrims on New Year’s Eve following just seven months in charge.
During that time, Rooney won just four of his 23 Championship matches, leaving with the club bottom of the table.
Following his exit, comments from Plymouth owner Simon Hallett have resurfaced defending the appointment.
Rooney took over at Home Park in May following spells at Derby, DC United and Birmingham, where he amassed a combined win rate of just 27 per cent.
At the time, Hallett told talkSPORT: “Clearly results were poor and results were particularly poor at Birmingham over the course of 15 games, which is probably not long enough to be statistically significant.
“The underlying data at Birmingham was also poor, but we know that there were circumstances that made it difficult for Wayne.
“There were also circumstances that made it difficult at Derby. You know, I mean, most obviously that the place was in administration.
“You know, Wayne ended up, I think, having to do more than just coach at Derby. So at Derby though, he still managed to improve the defence at DC United.
“Again, limited number of games, but DC United’s attack was strengthened. DC United’s defence was also more modest, but strengthened.
“The underlying performances before the manager arrives and afterwards. And you know, that means looking at things other than just wins and losses.”
However, Jordan has now criticised the Championship side for appointing Rooney in the first place.
Speaking on White & Jordan, the talkSPORT co-host explained: “Yeah, I mean, look, there was periods of time during this season where Wayne appeared to be getting things right.
“And we commended him on this show, because he has this theory that ultimately that I’ve got some witch hunt against him, which I don’t.
“I don’t think he merited the Birmingham job. I don’t think that’s unfair to say.
“I think Liam Rosenior was a key component of why they had some modicum of success at Derby. And I don’t think he did anything at DC United of any substance.
“But that doesn’t mean that you don’t commend someone for the endeavour. But I also think it is lacking on Plymouth.
“You know, if you’re going to bring Wayne Rooney into that environment, let’s have some thinking, some joined up thinking as to why you’re going to do it, what the squad of players you’ve got, what the backroom staff looks like, and what the capability in the boardroom is.”
Rooney won just one of his final 14 matches in charge at Plymouth, losing nine of those.
The club have since drawn both their fixtures since his exit under caretaker duo Kevin Nancekivell and Joe Edwards.
Former Huddersfield manager David Wagner could soon be confirmed as Rooney’s permanent successor, though.
talkSPORT understands he German coach has been interviewed for the vacant position as has former Pilgrims boss Steven Schumacher.
