Wayne Rooney Rows Hudson River After Norway's 2-1 Brazil Upset

Q: Has Wayne Rooney permanently swapped the manager's dugout for the lucrative pundit's chair?

No. Rooney has clearly shifted toward punditry for now, but the move does not look permanent. The immediate picture is that he has embraced broadcasting. Since leaving Birmingham City in 2024, he has become a regular BBC analyst, signed a reported two-year deal worth about £800,000, and built a visible media profile through Match of the Day, World Cup coverage and his own podcast. His Hudson River stunt with Joe Hart and Micah Richards underlined how comfortable and marketable he has become in that role. Rooney has also been candid about his doubts over returning to management. He has said he “can’t see” himself going back to the job and answered “probably not” when asked directly about a return to the dugout. Those comments were shaped by difficult spells at Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, and by his own admission that he regrets aspects of his managerial path, especially the timing of the Birmingham move. But that is not the same as ruling coaching out altogether. Rooney has repeatedly left the door open, saying “never say never,” and has indicated he would be interested in a role at Manchester United. Most significantly, the latest reporting says he is set to join Manchester United’s coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 season. So the evidence suggests Rooney has not permanently traded management for punditry. He is enjoying a lucrative and successful broadcasting phase, but a return to coaching now appears very real.

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18

New York saw Wayne Rooney swap punditry for oars as he rowed the Hudson River with Joe Hart and Micah Richards.
The stunt fulfilled Rooney's World Cup pledge to row if Norway beat Brazil in the last 16, a promise triggered by Norway's 2-1 win.
Norway fans' Viking-style rowing celebration had become a World Cup talking point, and striker Erling Haaland publicly urged Rooney to follow through.
Rooney said he loved the trip and did it out of respect for the fans; Norway have since exited after a quarter-final loss to England.
BBC's World Cup coverage now turns to England-France in Saturday's third-place match and Spain-Argentina in Sunday's final.