Wayne Rooney confirmed live on air that he is leaving his BBC punditry role to head back to the UK as he prepares to take on his next challenge in management.
The Manchester United legend made the announcement following Belgium's 0-0 draw with Ukraine on Wednesday evening as BBC's coverage of the Euro 2024 group stage concluded.
He agreed to take charge of Championship club Plymouth last month, and revealed he will be back on the training ground for pre-season with the team in the coming days.
'I fly home tomorrow, the lads are back in on the third of July, so I'll be home and straight down to Plymouth,' he said.
Plymouth learned their fixtures for the season earlier on Wednesday and Rooney added: 'The excitement was there today when you see the fixtures.
'You look through the opening games, your Christmas schedule and stuff so yeah really excited.'
Rooney appears determined to get things right at Plymouth after a disastrous three-month spell at Birmingham City last season.
He was brought in to replace John Eustace despite the Blues making a positive start to the campaign but proceeded to win just two of his 15 matches at the helm as Birmingham plummeted from sixth to 20th in the Championship.
Rooney, 38, was sacked in January, and Birmingham's fortunes didn't improve as they suffered relegation to League One four months later.
After also managing Derby County in the past, Rooney has been given another chance in England's second tier to prove he can be a success on the touchline.
Plymouth only avoided relegation by a single point last term, and Rooney will hope they won't be dragged into another battle at the foot of the table in 2024-25.
He is rumoured to be moving with wife Coleen to Salcombe in Devon, a posh seaside town where a pint is £7 and fish and chips are priced at £22.
He now has a few days to settle back into life in England after working for the BBC over in Germany for the past two weeks, before attention turns to pre-season.
Plymouth are set to have friendlies against Orlando Pirates, Cheltenham, Torquay United, Bristol Rovers and MK Dons in the coming weeks ahead of a trip to Sheffield Wednesday on the opening weekend of the Championship on August 11.
EmeraldJ
0
You know exactly what you're typing🤣🤣
I just hope I do oh.
Bodmasbodmas
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BBC😂
Bouaeiosuy
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Go religate them
kihadknrsy
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I can't believe this at all, you mean Birmingham was in sixth place under coach Eustace and they sacked him for Rooney, and Mr. Rooney dragged them from six to twenty? somebody pls confirm this for me, pls 🙄🙄🙄🙄
Zemabisyz
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This time he will improve and promote Plymouth to the Premiere League.
AlwaysSoccer
1
He made a right choice. He leaves BBC where he knew exactly nothing he was talking about to go focus on a coaching career he knows exactly nothing to do there and relegate Plymouth that know exactly nothing they have got themselves into. Do I actually know exactly what am typing?
You know exactly what you're typing🤣🤣
EmeraldJ
3
He made a right choice. He leaves BBC where he knew exactly nothing he was talking about to go focus on a coaching career he knows exactly nothing to do there and relegate Plymouth that know exactly nothing they have got themselves into. Do I actually know exactly what am typing?
vuaabdipu
1
He is so fat nowadays He needs to stay in good shape for TV
kazcdilrtu
1
Rooney knows how to take a team to relegation
AkpomudiaNelson
1
another team is about to be relegated
KayPhik
2
Sorry o Plymouth It’s like you guys like to be relegated
myclubliverpool
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Let him better leave before he relegates BBC
sweetammad
2
The most unluckiest team he is going to signing with - will nearby relegated and default.
Yieacnpyz
1
He’s fat anyways