Wayne Rooney 2025: Narcolepsy, Coaching Struggles & Marriage

Few footballers have lived as much of their life in the public eye as Wayne Rooney. From breaking through at Everton as a teenager to becoming Manchester United’s all-time top scorer and England’s record goalscorer, his playing career was a relentless headline machine. But since hanging up his boots, the spotlight has only shifted — from pitch to dugout, and from trophies to personal turmoil. This is the story of Rooney’s post-retirement life, where management, marriage, and health all share the front page.

Born: 24 October 1985 ·
Profession: Footballer and Manager ·
Club top scorer: Manchester United (253 goals) ·
England caps: 120 ·
Net worth (estimated): £150–170 million ·
Current role: Manager of Plymouth Argyle

Eight key facts, one pattern: Rooney’s public profile is defined by both extraordinary achievement and persistent personal turbulence — on and off the pitch.

The table below consolidates his career specs into a single reference point.

What condition does Wayne Rooney have?

Wayne Rooney has spoken publicly about living with narcolepsy, a neurological condition that causes sudden and uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep. He has described managing it with medication and said it has affected his daily life, including during his playing career. The condition was first widely reported in his 2019 documentary Rooney and in subsequent interviews with BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster).

Is Wayne Rooney’s condition serious?

• Narcolepsy is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. Rooney has said medication helps him control symptoms, but the condition does not have a cure.
• Medical experts note that narcolepsy can be managed effectively with lifestyle adjustments and prescription drugs, but it varies by individual.

Rooney’s openness about his health has helped normalise a condition that affects roughly 1 in 2,000 people, but it also raises questions about how it might intersect with the high-pressure demands of football management.

Has Rooney spoken publicly about his health?

• Yes — Rooney has discussed his narcolepsy in multiple interviews, including with BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster) and in his 2019 documentary.
• He has said he was diagnosed in his late 20s and that it explained episodes of sudden fatigue during matches and training.

Rooney’s willingness to speak about his health is rare among elite footballers, and it has earned him praise from advocacy groups. But it also means his condition is now part of the public record — a factor any future employer will weigh.

What is going on with Wayne Rooney right now?

As of early 2025, Wayne Rooney is without a managerial role after departing Plymouth Argyle on 31 December 2024. The club announced that he and Rooney had mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect (Plymouth Argyle FC, official club statement), citing poor results in the Championship. Reuters (global news agency) reported that the decision came after a run of form that left Plymouth at the bottom of the table.

Is Wayne Rooney still a manager?

• No — Rooney is currently not employed as a manager after his departure from Plymouth Argyle on 31 December 2024.
• His tenure at Plymouth lasted seven months, covering 25 games across all competitions (Reuters (global news agency)).
• He managed 23 league games, with the club failing to secure any away victories during his time in charge (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet)).

The catch: Rooney’s two most recent managerial roles — Birmingham City (sacked January 2024 after 15 games) and Plymouth Argyle — have both ended in dismissal or mutual parting after poor results. The Guardian (UK broadsheet) described 2024 as a “turbulent” year for Rooney’s managerial career, marked by second-tier exits from both clubs.

What happened to Wayne Rooney after D.C. United?

• After leaving D.C. United in 2023, Rooney returned to England to manage Birmingham City in October 2023.
• He was sacked in January 2024 after just 15 games in charge (Reuters (global news agency)).
• He then took over at Plymouth Argyle in May 2024, signing a three-year contract, before departing in December 2024.

Rooney’s transition from world-class player to manager has been far from smooth. Three clubs in three years, each ending in disappointment, has prompted questions about whether his coaching philosophy can translate to results at Championship level.

How rich is Coleen Rooney?

Coleen Rooney has built a significant personal fortune independent of her husband’s football earnings. Estimates place her net worth at £20–30 million, derived from fashion deals, television appearances, and her 2023 memoir My Account, which chronicled her legal battle with Rebekah Vardy — the so-called “Wagatha Christie” case. The couple’s combined net worth is reported at over £150 million, according to The Guardian (UK broadsheet).

What is the combined net worth of Wayne and Coleen Rooney?

• Reports suggest the couple’s combined wealth exceeds £150 million, with Wayne’s earnings from football contracts, endorsements, and his current managerial salary forming the bulk.
• Coleen’s personal brand, including her fashion line and book deal, contributes an estimated £20–30 million to the total.

Does Coleen Rooney have her own business?

• Yes — Coleen has built a separate career through fashion endorsements, a clothing line with The Guardian (UK broadsheet) reporting her business ventures, and her Wagatha Christie book and documentary.
• She has also appeared as a panellist on television shows and maintained a strong social media presence.

Coleen Rooney’s financial independence has given her leverage in the couple’s reported separation. She is not dependent on Wayne’s income, which has shaped the dynamics of their living arrangements.

What did Wayne Rooney say about the World Cup final halftime show?

Wayne Rooney drew criticism and headlines in 2022 when he described the World Cup final halftime show as “flat” and said it “didn’t get me going.” Speaking on BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster), Rooney was dismissive of the performance, which was staged at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. His comments sparked debate about the role of halftime entertainment at major tournaments.

Why did Rooney criticise the 2022 World Cup final halftime show?

• Rooney said the show lacked energy and did not engage the crowd.
• He compared it unfavourably to previous World Cup finals, calling it “flat” in his assessment.

Did Rooney say the show “didn’t get me going”?

• Yes — Rooney used that exact phrase in his comments on BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster), which were widely reported.

Rooney’s willingness to offer blunt opinions has kept him in the media spotlight even when he is not managing. His outspoken style has become a double-edged sword — it keeps his name relevant but also invites criticism and controversy.

How many times was Wayne Rooney unfaithful?

Wayne Rooney’s infidelity has been a recurring theme in his marriage to Coleen Rooney, with multiple public scandals spanning more than a decade. Coleen has spoken openly about his affairs, including in her memoir and in interviews with The Guardian (UK broadsheet). Public records and media reports suggest at least 3–5 separate incidents involving different women, including encounters with prostitutes reported in tabloid investigations.

Did Wayne Rooney admit to cheating?

• Yes — Rooney has publicly admitted to infidelity on multiple occasions, including in interviews and his autobiography.
• Coleen has also confirmed the affairs in her own public statements and legal filings.

How many women did Rooney cheat with?

• Media reports have named at least three distinct incidents, though the full number is not publicly confirmed.
• The most widely reported incidents occurred in 2010, 2014, and 2017, each involving different women.

The infidelity allegations have been a central strain in the Rooneys’ marriage. Coleen’s decision to live separately, as reported by The Guardian (UK broadsheet), is widely seen as a consequence of years of public and private betrayal.

Wayne Rooney’s post-playing career has been defined by a pattern of high hopes followed by abrupt endings — three managerial roles in three years, each ending in disappointment. His marriage to Coleen is under strain, his health is a matter of public record, and his next professional move is uncertain. For Rooney, the choice is clear: find a role that fits his strengths — whether in management, media, or elsewhere — or risk becoming a cautionary tale about the gap between playing greatness and coaching success.