Wayne Rooney's Transfer Saga: The Near Miss with Newcastle Before Man Utd Came Calling
Wayne Rooney recently disclosed a fascinating chapter in his career, revealing how close he was to joining Newcastle United before his eventual move to Manchester United. This intriguing insight sheds light on the twists and turns of the transfer window back in 2004.
Wayne Rooney has revealed that he came very close to joining Manchester United's Premier League rivals before completing his fateful transfer to Old Trafford from Everton. The forward joined the Red Devils as a prodigious 18-year-old and went on to become a club legend, playing 559 matches and scoring 253 goals, but things could have been very different.Rooney was hot property in the summer of 2004 after a breakout season for Everton and shining for England at the European Championship in Portugal before an untimely broken foot cut his tournament short. The forward dramatically handed in a transfer request at Everton late in the transfer window, and Man Utd completed a £27 million deal for his services within a few days. However, they were not the only interested party, with Newcastle coming up short in the race for his signature despite a phone call from club legend Alan Shearer and iconic manager Sir Bobby Robson - albeit he got young Rooney's name wrong. The former player revealed he would have joined the Magpies after they made an offer that summer, but their bid actually forced United's hand."I would have certainly went [to Newcastle]," Rooney revealed on his self-titled podcast The Wayne Rooney Show. "Manchester United wanted to wait a season and then sign me the year after they did sign me. Newcastle put a bid in and if Manchester United hadn't come in, I would have gone to Newcastle."Those two were bidding against each other. My agent's best mate was chairman at Newcastle at the time! So I'm sure he was getting nudged to try to get me as well. I wanted to go to Manchester United, but I spoke with Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer."In true Bobby Robson style, on the phone he called me 'Mark'. I thought he had either forgotten my name or he was a genius - because that's my middle name."Ultimately, Man Utd would be very, very glad that they got the deal over the line ahead of Newcastle and didn't wait, as originally planned. Speaking at the time, revered former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I am very excited. I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years. Everyone is delighted by this signing."That turned out to be a pretty accurate assessment, as the teenager blossomed into one of the finest players England has ever seen and became a club legend at Old Trafford, scoring 253 goals in 559 trophy-laden appearances for the club, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008 as a star-studded United side edged Chelsea on penalties.Discussing his relationship with Ferguson, Rooney added: "I always remember the one thing he said and he said it a few times, is 'the hardest thing to do in life is work hard'. That stuck with me. Whatever job you're doing that can apply to anything really. I think in football we have talent, we have ability but sometimes we don't look at working hard every day. And you'd think that's, that's normal."You should do that if you, you played in a big club, but if some players actually you've seen them, they don't. And so that was the one thing which stuck with me."Rooney has, however, been markedly less successful in his coaching career so far, having had short-lived, ill-fated spells in charge at Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle, following his time at Derby County and MLS side D.C. United.Having been sacked by Plymouth in late 2024, the 40-year-old is yet to return to the dugout, instead focusing on TV work as a pundit, as well as his new podcast with the BBC. Whether he will fancy another foray into the world of management remains to be seen after his recent negative experiences.
The Transfer Tug-of-War
In the summer of 2004, Wayne Rooney found himself in high demand following a stellar season with Everton and his standout performances for England at the European Championship. As one of the most promising talents in English football, it was no surprise that multiple clubs vied for his signature.
Newcastle's Bid and the Newcastle Mix-Up
Among the suitors, Newcastle United emerged as a serious contender for Rooney's services. Led by club legend Alan Shearer and iconic manager Sir Bobby Robson, the Magpies made a significant offer to secure the young striker. However, an amusing mix-up occurred during a phone call from Sir Bobby Robson, who mistakenly referred to Rooney as 'Mark' – a moment of light-hearted confusion in the midst of intense negotiations.
The Manchester United Intervention
Despite Newcastle's advances, Manchester United swooped in to seal the deal for Rooney, completing a £27 million transfer that altered the course of the forward's career. Rooney acknowledged that if United had not acted swiftly, he would have likely donned the black and white stripes of Newcastle instead.
Ferguson's Astute Prediction
Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary manager of Manchester United, hailed Rooney's signing as a significant coup for the club, recognizing the young talent's potential. This foresight proved to be spot on, as Rooney went on to achieve remarkable success and establish himself as a club icon at Old Trafford.
Lessons from Ferguson
Reflecting on his time under Ferguson, Rooney shared valuable insights into the importance of hard work and dedication in any profession. The enduring lesson of 'the hardest thing in life is to work hard' resonated with the forward, shaping his approach to football and beyond.
Coaching Challenges and Future Endeavors
While Rooney excelled on the field, his coaching career has been marked by tumultuous spells at various clubs. From Derby County to D.C. United, and most recently Plymouth Argyle, Rooney faced challenges in management that led to his departure from Plymouth in 2024. As he explores media opportunities and podcasting, the question remains whether he will return to coaching in the future.
