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Wayne Rooney: England captain in a 'difficult period' as he is dropped

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Wayne Rooney: England captain to keep his role under Gareth Southgate

England captain Wayne Rooney says he is in a "difficult period" after he was dropped for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.

Interim manager Gareth Southgate said the decision was tactical and not a reflection of the forward's form.

Rooney, who was booed by sections of the Wembley crowd during Saturday's 2-0 win over Malta, has not started Manchester United's past three matches.

The 30-year-old said there was "no embarrassment" in being on the bench.

Rooney will retain the captaincy but Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson will be the on-field skipper on Tuesday.

England's record scorer and most-capped male outfield player, with 53 goals in 117 appearances, Rooney has netted once in 12 games for club and country this season.

"My game now? Of course, I'm not denying it is in a difficult period. I've been on the bench the last few games for Manchester United but that's part of football," said Rooney.

"I have to work hard and, when I'm needed for both club and country, I'll make sure I'm ready."

Tottenham's Eric Dier will replace Rooney in midfield against Slovenia.

Southgate added: "We have looked at the way Slovenia play and I knew in my mind the profile of the midfield I wanted to play in this game. In no way is it a reflection of Wayne's performance on Saturday.

"He had a lot of the ball and played with great tactical discipline. It's not an easy decision to take because of the respect I have for him as the captain of this team."

Rooney said being dropped by England had not changed his plans to retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Asked if he was surprised to be left out, he added: "No, I think it is football.

"I've played 13 years non-stop for England and given everything. A time comes when you're not the first name on the team sheet, which I have been in the past."

Rooney also praised Henderson, 26, who succeeded Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain.

"I think Jordan is a fantastic leader," added Rooney. "He has taken a difficult job from Steven Gerrard and grown into the position.

"He has great leadership qualities and he deserves his chance. It will be an incredibly proud moment for him and his family."

'Rooney has acted with a lot of class'

Former England striker Chris Sutton speaking on BBC Radio 5 live external-link

Wayne Rooney has acted with a lot of class and it is not easy for him to take being dropped. He has taken it gracefully.

Southgate has made the right decision. There isn't a place for Rooney in the current England team, it is as simple as that and we have to move on now.

You have to credit Southgate. The past two England managers didn't have the gumption to drop him and he should have been dropped.

Rooney for England in stats

Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has scored three goals and made one assist in his past 10 England games
  • 11 - Playing four games as a forward and six in midfield, Rooney has had more shots on target than any other England player over their past 10 appearances. Daniel Sturridge has had 10, Harry Kane nine.
  • 550 - Rooney has made the second most number of passes of any England player over the past 10 appearances. Only Jordan Henderson has more with 628. Dier has made 545.
  • 85.09 - Rooney's pass accuracy percentage is the fifth best of any England player over the past 10 games, beaten by Dier (90.09), Ross Barkley (88.92), Henderson (88.22) and Theo Walcott (87.02).

Settled position would help - Rooney

Rooney has mainly played in an advanced midfield role for United this season, but deeper for England.

Asked if his game would benefit from a settled position, he replied: "It would, of course. But that's the managers' decision where they want me to play.

"I am not naive in terms of thinking that I am still a 20-year-old who could do what I could do when I was 20.

"I am 30 years of age. I am not 35 or 36 where you are thinking, 'can you get back from it?' I feel fine.

"[Manchester United great] Ryan Giggs at 30 wasn't the same player as at 18 - and he played till he was 40. Players re-evaluate and work out the best way to move forwards. I'm sure that will happen with me.

"After the summer it would have been easy for me to walk away and say: 'That's it, I've had enough.' But that's not me."

We haven't looked after Wayne - Southgate

Rooney and Southgate at England training in 2003
Rooney and Southgate at England training in 2003

Southgate said he did not like the idea of "satisfying" Rooney's critics by dropping his captain, and said he was "more annoyed" than Rooney by the negative reaction.

"There is a thing of respect and unfortunately very often we don't see it fully until players retire and they are finished. I know that is the case," he said.

Southgate said he remembered former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson saying of a young Rooney: "Look after him, he's your future."

He added: "I'm not sure we've always done that."

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520 comments

  • Comment posted by User0018756781, at 20:07 10 Oct 2016

    He's earning £250,000 per week and he is having a difficult period! I couldn't afford to buy food this week after being made redundant. I think I'm going through a difficult period in reality!

  • Comment posted by Sams Town, at 20:16 10 Oct 2016

    The fans knew Rooney had to go

    Southgate knew Rooney had to go..

    Mourinho knew he had to go..

    But .....not the hopeless TV pundits who have always been afraid to criticise Rooney....even after dire performances.....including Iceland

    Waste of money these 'experts'

  • Comment posted by TheHarold, at 19:57 10 Oct 2016

    Let's give Gareth the job now; he's done something every manager for the last 13 years has been afraid to do!

  • Comment posted by taylor01pe, at 19:51 10 Oct 2016

    Finally a manager with the guts to see what everyone has been seeing for ages. He's had some good matches for england but enough is enough and he's past his sell by date. More youth and pace needed up front! Best wishes for a long and happy retirement from english football, Wayne.

  • Comment posted by Wackford Squeers, at 19:52 10 Oct 2016

    Shock ! England manager discovers what Man United fans have known for a couple of years, Rooney is way past his best.

  • Comment posted by D1710500759203, at 19:55 10 Oct 2016

    Rooney is finished on the International stage and has been for quite some time now. He just doesn't want to accept it and wants another record, most capped England International, to go with his top England goal scorer which he didn't deserve either. Bobby Charlton was robbed - disgraceful.

    Time to get rid of him and let the younger and more skilful talent have a go, they can't do any worse.

  • Comment posted by david, at 20:03 10 Oct 2016

    I don't support England but the booing of Rooney is not very pleasant.

    The guy has been loyal, dedicated and hard working for England, played lots of games and scored over 100 goals.

    We had the same with David Beckham. Some England fans need to take a good look at themselves.

  • Comment posted by BlueIsTheColour, at 19:58 10 Oct 2016

    The worry could cause his hair to fall out.

  • Comment posted by Rich-D, at 20:04 10 Oct 2016

    Good call by Southgate, Dier and Henderson sitting in behind Dele Alli makes much more sense. Classy words from Rooney on Henderson getting the armband nice to read.........but to the comment suggesting Drinkwater and Vardy should be regulars, no........just no!

  • Comment posted by vdp, at 21:09 10 Oct 2016

    Played like an overweight thug in South Africa - he then had the audacity to have a go at the fans who quite rightly booed England's dreadful performance. The fans, unlike Rooney, spent well earned money to support their team. He should have been kicked out on his arse then. Instead, he was inexplicably made captain and has been hanging around the England team like a really bad smell ever since.

  • Comment posted by number144, at 21:07 10 Oct 2016

    Let's face it Rooney has never shone at the highest level.

    Against the 'mighty' Malta he looked utterly mediocre.

    Being mediocre and being paid £250000 a week is not that tough.

    Am I supposed to feel sorry for him?

  • Comment posted by eggymooo, at 21:43 10 Oct 2016

    I don't get this - other players come and go, sometimes play, sometimes on the bench, sometimes left out of the squad, and nobody raises an eyebrow. Why is Rooney considered to have a permanent place? He's off form. He's been off form for ages. The fans can see it clearly - but it seems the media, and successive managers are the ones with the obsession.

  • Comment posted by Gary, at 21:36 10 Oct 2016

    It makes me ill that Rooney holds the record for goals scored. Half of them were scored against San Marino and Andorra and the other half penaltys. Bobby Charlton was class; Rooney dross.

  • Comment posted by Sams Town, at 20:41 10 Oct 2016

    Fact is when it really mattered Wayne Rooney failed to deliver.....3 World Cups and 2 Euros from 2004 to 2016......and failure to qualify for Euro 2008

    The easier qualifying groups in recent years (following the expansion of tournaments) allowed him to take Sir Bobbys crown.....but he is not an England great.

  • Comment posted by User0290366754, at 21:49 10 Oct 2016

    At least it’s a brave decision by Southgate and the right one. Rooney has had 3 poor World Cups (and 2 pretty average Euros, he was a bit better in the 2004 competition) and he’s not getting any better. Does he really merit the chance to have a fourth? I don’t think so.

  • Comment posted by BeerTalk, at 21:08 10 Oct 2016

    England's tournament problems are nothing to do with Rooney.

    The England players have little self belief, they are unable to fight for one another as a team and their speed of movement off the ball is no where near explosive enough. They appear slow and ponderous in possession and make defending against them easy.

    If only it was just a case of 1 player not being good enough.

  • Comment posted by Captain Francois Dubonais, at 20:14 10 Oct 2016

    36. Posted by StokoE on
    8 minutes ago
    People think dropping Rooney is the answer.. You are very much mistaken
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    No, the problem is people who think they know what people think.
    The answer or not, if you aren't playing well enough, you get dropped, regardless of what people think.

  • Comment posted by Jimmy, at 20:04 10 Oct 2016

    The problem is that he is no longer the best player in any of the positions. However I think it's unacceptable to boo him. He does give his all when he's playing and it is managers and the media who have built him up as though he is a player who can do no wrong. He needed a better manager over the last few years who needed to tell him the truth, and not ignore this growing issue.

  • Comment posted by Jim, at 20:00 10 Oct 2016

    Thankfully the manager has had the guts to drop Rooney. Let us hope, if we lose, the press doesnt crucify the manager for having the gall to select players who are on form and drop players who are out of form - regardless of profile.

    Fingers crossed that Southgate does this for all players / positions. He is the manager, the players need to respect that.

  • Comment posted by D1710956014251, at 21:06 10 Oct 2016

    A lot of disrespectful comments on here. Yes, Rooney does not justify his place just now, and is unlikely to be an automatic choice again. And yes, he has not delivered on the international stage for a while......but then who has while wearing the 3 lions? He has given his all, but this is not good enough at present. Time to step aside, but he does not deserve the abuse he is getting. Ignorance.

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