Plymouth announce Wayne Rooney successor as little-known Austrian boss, 42, is named new manager
PLYMOUTH have announced little-known Austrian Miron Muslic as successor to sacked boss Wayne Rooney.
Muslic, 42, is taking over the Championship’s bottom side after he himself was AXED a month ago – by Belgian top-flight side Cercle Brugge.
Wayne Rooney departed with Plymouth bottom of the second tier[/caption]
Manchester United legend Rooney only arrived in the summer but paid the price for an alarming dip in form following a mini-revival.
Plymouth unveiled his replacement on Friday night – ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round trip to Prem side Brentford.
Muslic played for a strong of Austrian clubs below the top level before becoming caretaker chief at his last club Ried in the second tier.
He then bossed Ried youths, Austrian 2 rivals Floridsdorfer and Ried’s senior side in the same division – before taking over at Cercle in September 2022.
He steered them away from relegation trouble for a sixth-placed finish but was sacked on December 2 last year.
It followed a 3-2 defeat against bottom side Beerschot after Cercle had led 2-0.
A statement from the Pilgrims read: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Miron Muslic as Argyle’s new Head Coach. Welcome to Argyle, Miron!”
Plymouth appointed former England skipper Rooney, 39, in the summer despite his poor spell in charge of Birmingham.
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And after the ex-Derby boss was axed, Argyle chairman Simon Hallett denied his arrival had been a publicity stunt.
Hallett told the club website: “Raising our profile was not one of the considerations in hiring Wayne Rooney.
“We thought that he would be able to help us win football matches.
“During Wayne’s tenure as Head Coach, we saw glimpses of what was possible, but clearly both results and underlying performances were showing few signs of being at the level we need.”
But Hallett added: “We thank Wayne for what he did achieve in his months at the Club.
“He united the players, helped restore a positive attitude at the Club and won over the fans whose support had been tested for a few months in 2024.
“His approachable nature and down to earth personality made him a popular figure and we will miss him.”
