Graham Stack delivers Wayne Rooney, Plymouth Argyle sack verdict | OneFootball

The Pilgrims are starting to show some promising signs under Rooney

Plymouth Argyle could've sacked Wayne Rooney after his slow start to life as manager of the club.

That's according to the former Pilgrims and Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack, who has praised the club for choosing to stick with the ex-Manchester United and England striker.

After the departure of Steven Schumacher for Stoke City and sacking of his replacement, Ian Foster, last season, Plymouth found themselves looking for a new manager in the summer.

That role would go to Rooney, who took over in May, signing a three-year contract that ties him to the club until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Now, Stack believes the Pilgrims did the right thing by not acting quickly over the 39-year-old's future, after a slow start to the campaign.

Wayne Rooney sack claim issued

In the eyes of many, the appointment of Rooney back in the summer was a major gamble for Plymouth to take after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Championship last season.

His last managerial spell had been in the Championship during the previous campaign, where a disastrous two-and-a-half months with Birmingham City put the club on course for relegation.

Rooney then endured a terrible start to his career with Plymouth, as his side were battered 4-0 at Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day of the campaign.

That was followed by draws with QPR and Hull City, before defeat to Stoke City left the Pilgrims in the relegation zone after the first month of the season.

However, they have since picked up ten points from their next eight games, a run which has offered more reason for optimism, and lifted the club just outside the bottom three.

Now, Stack - who made a handful of appearances for Plymouth during the 2008-09 season - believes that has vindicated his old side's decision not to sack Rooney quickly.

That is despite the fact the former goalkeeper, who began his senior career with Arsenal, believes they could have acted differently.

When asked about the struggles Rooney endured at the start of his time in charge at Home Park, Stack was quoted by The Daily Mirror as saying: "It did [look precarious for Rooney].

"But fair play to the chairman and the people involved above, because they could have probably pulled the trigger and got him out, and got someone else in who takes another two or three months to settle in.

"So fair play to the people at Plymouth and the hierarchy who have given him time and stuck with him. And I hope it pays off for him as well."

Plymouth are next in action on Saturday afternoon, when they travel to Elland Road to take on Leeds United.

Plymouth may need to stick with Wayne Rooney

There is an argument that it makes sense for the Pilgrims to stick with their current manager for the time being.

After such a poor start to the season, it may have been tempting for them to pull the plug, especially given how things went at Birmingham for him last season.

However, Plymouth are now starting to look like a much improved side under Rooney, and they are becoming really difficult to beat at Home Park.

Indeed, their recovery from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Preston North End at the weekend showed the resilience this team now have, and their willingness to fight for their manager.

Of course, the league table is still looks worrying for Rooney and his side, but there is no guarantee a change in manager would make a difference, particularly if a new appointment takes time.

With that in mind, sticking with Rooney for now at least does seem to be the right stance for Plymouth to take, especially if there continues to be signs of progress.