Football News: Rooney Shakes Up Pre-Season Routine as Plymouth Manager

In a revealing interview, Wayne Rooney has shared how he has “flipped” his pre-season schedule as the new Plymouth manager, departing from the traditional methods he experienced under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Rooney, who recently took over the reins at the Championship club, has been preparing his team for the upcoming season. Unlike his playing days at United, where pre-season training often involved extensive running, Rooney has opted for a different approach.

“They weren’t like old school where they’re just running for the sake of it,” Rooney explained on the Stick to Football podcast. “First day the balls are out. I used to do it differently. [At United] we used to do the football in the morning and then the gym in the afternoon. I’d do the gym first in the morning and then do the football in the afternoon. I always think once you’ve done the football, and then you think, ‘I’ve got the gym in the afternoon,’ mentally…”

Rooney’s decision to switch the order of training sessions has been strategic, as he believes it helps his players maintain their focus and excitement for the football-focused afternoon sessions.

The United legend also spoke candidly about his own dislike for pre-season as a player, often returning from the summer break carrying extra weight. Now, as a manager, he is taking a hands-on approach to ensure his Plymouth squad is well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Plymouth’s first competitive match under Rooney’s leadership will be against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in the Championship on Sunday, live on talkSPORT. The team will then host Cheltenham in the first round of the Carabao Cup before facing Hull, QPR, and Stoke in the league.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Rooney is hopeful that his innovative approach to pre-season training can help guide Plymouth to a higher position in the 2024/25 Championship table.

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