Wayne Rooney’s potential shift from managerial duties to punditry is generating significant buzz, particularly for Leeds United fans, as it could bring him into regular conversations about the club in the Premier League. After a brief and tumultuous spell as Plymouth Argyle manager, which ended in December 2024 after just 25 matches, Rooney is now reportedly eyeing a role with the BBC’s Match of the Day (MOTD) show. This move marks a surprising shift for the England legend, who has previously carved out a reputation as both a player and manager, but has struggled to achieve success in the latter role.
According to reports from The Sun on January 18, 2025, Rooney is in talks over a lucrative deal to join the BBC’s flagship football program, replacing Gary Lineker, who will depart at the end of the season. This could see Rooney working alongside the likes of Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman, and Kelly Cates, becoming a key voice in MOTD’s analysis of Premier League football. The deal could earn him as much as £200,000 annually, depending on the frequency of his appearances, which is a significant sum for a pundit role. Given that MOTD is one of the most-watched football shows in the UK, this represents a major career pivot for Rooney, who has long been associated with high-profile managerial roles but has yet to find the same level of success as a coach.
For Leeds United fans, the prospect of Rooney joining Match of the Day is particularly exciting. While his tenure as a manager at Derby County and Plymouth Argyle did not yield the success many expected, his move into punditry could provide a new lens through which supporters can view their club. If Leeds United secures promotion to the Premier League, as many hope, the club could be featuring prominently in MOTD week in and week out. This would mean that Leeds fans could see Rooney—who has a history of rivalry with the club, particularly during his time at Derby—providing commentary and analysis on their performances against some of the best teams in the world.
The idea of a former rival manager talking about Leeds in the Premier League is certainly a tantalizing one. Leeds United has had its fair share of ups and downs in recent years, but their passionate fanbase and rivalry with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, and others mean that every match will attract attention. Rooney, with his wealth of experience at both the club and international level, would bring a unique perspective on the performances of teams like Leeds, who are hungry to prove themselves in the top flight.
Though it may be surprising to see Rooney transition to punditry after a relatively short and, at times, unsuccessful stint in management, this move could be the right fit for him at this stage of his career. His time in management was marred by limited success, with his tenure at Derby County and later Plymouth not achieving the results he had hoped for. Moving to a punditry role allows Rooney to stay connected to the game while distancing himself from the pressures of managing a team. His deep understanding of football and candid insights could provide valuable commentary for viewers, particularly as he dissects matches involving teams like Leeds United.
If everything falls into place, and Leeds United does return to the Premier League, fans could find themselves tuning in every week to hear Rooney’s analysis on their team’s performance. While it’s still early days, the possibility of hearing the 39-year-old former striker discuss Leeds’ top-flight exploits—and perhaps even dissecting a few contentious moments or matches—certainly adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Match of the Day lineup for next season. It would undoubtedly be a rare and exciting chapter in Rooney’s post-playing career, and one that Leeds United fans are sure to enjoy, especially if it means more regular airtime on the prestigious BBC platform.