"Difficult to see" - Sky Sports pundit issues honest Wayne Rooney verdict following Plymouth Argyle exit | OneFootball

Don Goodman spoke exclusively to Football League World about the managerial future of Wayne Rooney, who recently left Plymouth Argyle

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes it's difficult to see Wayne Rooney landing a fresh "high level" managerial role in the near future, having recently left his post with Championship basement side Plymouth Argyle by "mutual consent".

Plymouth narrowly staved off relegation to League One last season but did not look capable of replicating the same feat under Rooney, who left Home Park on New Year's Eve with the club left rooted to the foot of the Championship table.

Although Argyle, who have one of the division's lowest budgets, were always poised to compete in the lower regions of the division, they find themselves at real risk of being cut adrift and had accumulated a particularly woeful away record during Rooney's tenure.

In the 13 matches Rooney took charge of on the road, 11 ended in defeat as Plymouth scored just three goals, conceded 32 and have chalked up the Championship's worst record and goal differential by a considerable margin.

Rooney's Plymouth side succumbed to defeats by a margin of three goals or more away to Coventry City, Bristol City, Norwich, Leeds United and even relegation rivals Cardiff, though his fate was ultimately sealed with a chastening 2-0 loss at fellow strugglers Oxford on December 29.

Don Goodman's honest verdict on Wayne Rooney's future following Plymouth Argyle exit

At this moment in time, it's difficult to envisage Rooney's next destination. The former Manchester United star developed a healthy reputation in his first role with Derby County, where he dealt with significant off-pitch adversity, but flattered to deceive at DC United before enduring a brief and hellish return to English football at Birmingham City last term.

Rooney's time in the Second City had lowered his stock but Plymouth still decided to take a punt, although it's unclear just where the 39-year-old goes next in the world of management.

Goodman is sympathetic for the ex-United, Everton and England international forward due to the array of challenges he's faced in each of his four roles, but he admitted that a departure was ultimately the right call and Rooney now finds himself at a career crossroads.

He said viaPlejm .com: "I do feel sorry for Wayne Rooney. The four jobs he's had have all been challenging in different ways.

"Derby were in administration and suffered points deductions, it didn't go well for him in the MLS at D.C United, and it was the wrong time for him to join Birmingham after John Eustace left and he was on the backfoot with an initial set of difficult games.

"The Plymouth job then came up, and it's always a huge challenge with Plymouth Argyle to survive in the Championship with their resources. Every role he's taken has been a really difficult one. It's difficult to see where he goes next.

"I understand the decision (Rooney's departure). Plymouth suffered some terrible away defeats with no quality and, more worryingly, no fight. They scored just three and conceded 32 goals in his 13 away games at Plymouth which is embarrassing, really. Something had to be done and I think Wayne knew that too.

"I get the feeling he'd like to stay involved in football but might need some time out. Perhaps he could go somewhere as a number two? It's hard to see him getting a manager role at any high level in the immediate future."

Wayne Rooney may have to drop down a level after Plymouth Argyle failure

Rooney is in a difficult position now, as arguably three of his four senior management roles have proved failures.

Naturally, Rooney has immense pedigree and can be viewed as an attractive, and marketable name by clubs, but that alone isn't going to be enough to save his career in the dugout and he's running out of credit in the bank at Championship level.

That means Rooney may have to drop down a level in his next move, should he intend on continuing to carve out a career in first-team management.

As Goodman alludes to, Rooney could be better-suited as a number-two, where he would likely have a wider and more appealing selection of suitors, but he could be forced to swallow his pride somewhat and go down a level or two to disprove his doubters and bounce back from disappointing spells with the likes of Birmingham and Plymouth.