Millwall, QPR & Sheffield Wednesday's Championship rivals sack manager

Plymouth Argyle have sacked manager Wayne Rooney with the club bottom of the ChampionshipPlymouth Argyle have sacked manager Wayne Rooney with the club bottom of the Championship
Plymouth Argyle have sacked manager Wayne Rooney with the club bottom of the Championship | Getty Images
Another Championship manager has been sacked just days after Stoke City parted ways with Narcis Pelach

Plymouth Argyle and Wayne Rooney have parted ways with “immediate effect” after a run of nine games without a win and with the club rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.

The Pilgrims lost 2-0 at Oxford United on Sunday just three days after being hammered 4-0 by Coventry City on Boxing Day. They opened the season with a 4-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday but bounced back somewhat to draw with Hull City and QPR in their following two games. However, victories have been few and far between for Rooney at Plymouth with just four wins from his 23 Championship games in charge. They have drawn six fixtures but lost 13, including a 1-0 defeat at Millwall in October.

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Rooney is the second Championship manager to lose his job since Christmas after Narcis Pelach was let go on December 27 just 19 games into his Stoke City tenure. Millwall have also parted company with a manager this season after Neil Harris left the club in surprise circumstances. Ex-Sunderland and Preston North End boss Alex Neil has since been appointed as his replacement.

Rooney issues statement on departure

Rooney issued a statement on the Plymouth club website following the decision to part ways with the Devon club. He said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, in particular Simon Hallett and Neil Dewsnip who I shared great relationships with. Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as Head Coach and I wish them all the best for the future.

“To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever. I would also like to give a special mention to my coaching staff Kevin Nancekivell, Simon Ireland, Darryl Flahavan and Mike Phelan for their knowledge, dedication, help and support. Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to look out for and take interest in their results.”

Interim staff named

Kevin Nancekivell will take charge of Plymouth's match with Bristol City along with Joe Edwards after Wayne Rooney was sacked.Kevin Nancekivell will take charge of Plymouth's match with Bristol City along with Joe Edwards after Wayne Rooney was sacked.
Kevin Nancekivell will take charge of Plymouth's match with Bristol City along with Joe Edwards after Wayne Rooney was sacked. | Getty Images

First team coach Kevin Nancekivell and club captain Joe Edwards will take charge as Plymouth take on Bristol City on New Year’s Day. Daryl Flahavan will continue in his role as goalkeeping coach. The Pilgrims are on 18 points from 23 games and four points from safety as things stand. QPR have moved away from the relegation zone but are still just five points above Cardiff City in 22nd. Millwall are seven points clear of the bottom three with 29 points from their first 23 games.

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After hosting Bristol City, Plymouth travel to Stoke and then take on Premier League Brentford in the third round of the FA Cup. They then have back-to-back Championship home games against QPR and Burnley before a long trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland. Millwall travel to Home Park in early February.

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