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About two months ago, <a href="https://www.dcunited.com/club/bio/rooney" target="_blank">Wayne Rooney</a> and his agent, Paul Stretford, approached D.C. United executives to initiate conversations about the long-term future. Rooney was not even one year into his MLS coaching tenure, but with his guaranteed contract due to expire in December, he wanted to begin talking about 2024 and beyond.

Since that initial outreach, however, there have been no further discussions.

“I am slightly disappointed and frustrated there has been no contact for two months,” Rooney told The Washington Post. “We asked about a new deal. We can sit down and talk about it. We haven’t heard back. Either way, I can take whatever the situation is. I was hoping we would have, either way, at least spoken about it. That hasn’t been the case.”

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Rooney, the former English superstar who played for United in 2018 and 2019, is not in a place of leverage. With eight matches left, United (8-12-6) sits <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/standings/2023/conference#season=2023&live=true" target=_blank>10th in the Eastern Conference</a>, two points behind the Chicago Fire — Saturday’s foe at Audi Field — for the last playoff slot.

After Rooney’s <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/07/13/wayne-rooney-is-megastar-more-importantly-he-wants-coach/" target=_blank>celebrated arrival</a> last summer, United posted a 2-9-3 record, but he had inherited a team in shambles and in need of an offseason overhaul. This year, with one of MLS’s highest payrolls, it matched last year’s win total June 24 with a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/06/24/dc-united-erupts-first-half-against-mls-best-fc-cincinnati/" target=_blank>3-0 victory over league-leading Cincinnati</a> but has gone 1-4-1 since and is in danger of missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.

With the regular season winding down, United officials are taking a wait-and-see approach with Rooney. None wanted to comment for this story. “The jury is still out with this season,” a person close to the matter said. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Rooney’s contract includes a two-way option for 2024; both sides would have to agree to continue the relationship.

Unlike player contracts, MLS coaching salaries are not made public. Rooney’s earnings, though, are believed to be on the higher end in the league.

Another factor in whether Rooney returns is how United shapes its front office. The club has been without a general manager since last fall, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/10/19/lucy-rushton-fired-dc-united/" target=_blank>when Lucy Rushton was let go</a>. Dave Kasper, the president of soccer operations, and Stewart Mairs, the technical director, have overseen roster decisions.

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A new GM presumably would want a say in whether the coach is offered a new contract. United has enlisted a search firm and hopes to hire someone this fall. The GM would report to chief executive Jason Levien, not to Kasper as Rushton did, one person familiar with the plans said.

“We asked to sit down and speak because planning for next season needs to go ahead,” Rooney said. “So we asked two months ago where everything was at, are we moving forward or not moving forward — if that’s the case from their point of view — and we haven’t heard back. That’s frustrating because, either way, I’d rather know what’s the plan because we have to plan for next season. We need to do it earlier rather than later.

“The fact we haven’t heard back is probably signaling one thing, but I’m sure they’ll have their reasons for that. So I’ll wait and see.”

Rooney said he is enjoying his time as United’s coach — despite the losing record, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/08/10/dc-united-taxi-fountas-terminate-contract/" target=_blank>the recent departure </a>of designated player Taxi Fountas amid a second allegation in less than a year of using a racial slur and Rooney’s regular complaints about MLS officiating.

He said his desire to mold a winning team fuels his yearning to continue in the job.

“It’s something we’re trying to build,” Rooney said. “I wouldn’t have approached the club two months ago if that wasn’t the case.”

It’s also no secret he is eager to build his portfolio to position himself for a Premier League job down the line. He is Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer and an English sporting hero.

From a personal standpoint, United officials like Rooney. They had a good relationship with him when he was a player, though his decision in the summer of 2019 to return to English soccer at the end of that year left them a bit in the lurch.

Returning home was largely tied to family reasons; his wife, Coleen, never felt comfortable living in the United States. As a coach, Rooney is here on his own. Coleen and their four children have remained in England and visit periodically.

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“Of course, you miss the kids and you miss your wife, but it’s been as good as it can be,” Rooney said. “I’ve been settled here. The family has been settled at home. It hasn’t been an issue at all.”

The family dynamic was part of the reason the sides were initially hesitant to sign a long-term contract last summer. Now, though, Rooney would like to extend his stay.

“There is a lot of uncertainty amongst the [assistant] coaches and the players as well,” he said. “I am sure the players would like to know what is in the future, in terms of the manager and the coaches. … If the club wants me to wait, so be it, but I need to make sure I look after myself and my coaches as well.”

Inducted into the Virginia DC Soccer Hall of Fame, 2013

Three-time APSE finalist

Society of Professional Journalists' Dateline Awards, first place, 2023

American University, BA in print journalism, 1988

Steven Goff has covered soccer for The Washington Post since the early 1990s. His beats include D.C. United, MLS and the U.S. national teams. He has been on assignment at every men's World Cup since 1994, plus six Women's World Cups for 14 overall.

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