[Sports] 'Humble & popular but no plan B' - The inside story of Rooney at Plymouth

[Dexter.]

 

Former England and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has left Championship side Plymouth Argyle after seven months in charge, with the club bottom of the table and four points from safety.

It brings the 39-year-old's fourth managerial role to an end, after challenging spells in the second tier with Birmingham City and Derby County, as well as in the United States with DC United.

So where did it go wrong for the legendary striker at Plymouth? What was he like to deal with? And how did the players feel about him? BBC Sport delves into some key themes.

The style of play: 'He tried to be progressive, but it didn't work'

Rooney appeared to come from the Pep Guardiola school of tactics.

A goalkeeper who could initiate attacks, full-backs who would invert into midfield and playing through the thirds.

And this style of play, in home games, often entertained - there was a 3-2 win over high-flying Sunderland and two 3-3 draws, with five stoppage-time goals scored at Home Park to gain six crucial points.

However, the last-gasp heroics were papering over the cracks of what were often patchy performances.

While Argyle's 48.6% possession average ranks them a respectable 16th in the Championship, they are bottom for expected goals (19.39) and above only Portsmouth for shots on target (78) - with a league-worst xG against (44.03) and shots on target faced (141).

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c24ny6m2741o