Wayne Rooney drops bombshell on D.C. United

Less than 24 hours after their final match of the 2023 MLS season, the D.C. United are now without a manager. 

Late Saturday night, former Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney dropped a bombshell announcing that the 2023 campaign would be his last leading the club. 

"It's the right time," Rooney said via Pablo Iglesias Maurer of The Athletic. "I've done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It's not a single thing that's happened. It's about timing." 

Rooney added that he wasn't sure what "lies ahead" for his future, but he wasn't leaving D.C. United for another opportunity. 

Hired in July 2022, Rooney lasted roughly a year in charge of the United, compiling a 13-13-26 record in 52 matches. 

The club confirmed the news in a statement from CEO Jason Levien, who expressed gratitude for Rooney, calling him a "valued and cherished friend" of the D.C. United family. 

"We have spoken with Wayne and agreed it is best for us to part ways at this time," Levien said. "This decision creates the avenue for our next General Manager to have the full opportunity to impart a new philosophy and structure onto our sporting operations, which begins with the critical identification of a Head Coach who will best align with this." 

A change in leadership isn't entirely out of the blue. The United struggled this season, going 10-10-14 (40 points) to finish on the outside looking in on the postseason picture. 

With a record four MLS Cups, the United were once considered the gold standard among MLS teams. However, the club has fallen on hard times recently, missing out on the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.