5 Wayne Rooney replacements Plymouth Argyle could consider if he is sacked | OneFootball

We looked at five managers Plymouth Argyle could consider as pressure continues to build on Wayne Rooney.

Pressure is increasing on Plymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney after a poor run of form and it seems his position is now under threat.

Given his disappointing three-month spell at Birmingham City last season, many were surprised when Plymouth opted to appoint Rooney in May, and his tenure got off to the worst possible start as his side were beaten 4-0 at Sheffield Wednesday on the opening weekend.

The Pilgrims' form improved significantly after that, and it looked as though they were turning a corner after impressive home victories over Sunderland, Luton Town and Blackburn Rovers in September and October.

However, it has been a tough couple of weeks for Argyle, and after suffering a 6-1 defeat at Norwich City on Tuesday night, they were comprehensively beaten 4-0 at Bristol City on Saturday, leaving them 21st in the Championship table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

According to journalist John Percy, Rooney is "fighting to save his job" at Home Park, and the next two home games against Oxford United and Swansea City will be crucial to his future, with concerns growing among the hierarchy following recent results.

Rooney retains the backing of the Pilgrims board for now, but with his position looking increasingly uncertain, we looked at five potential replacements the club could consider if they decide to make a change.

Steven Schumacher

Steven Schumacher controversially left Plymouth to join Stoke City last December but should the club part company with Rooney, they would surely be tempted to bring him back to Home Park.

Schumacher led Argyle to the League One title in the 2022-23 season with a remarkable total of 101 points and his side made a decent start to life back in the Championship, sitting 16th in the table and comfortably clear of the relegation zone at the time of his departure.

The 40-year-old has been out of work since being harshly sacked by Stoke in September after just five games of the season, and it was claimed in October that he was keeping tabs on Rooney's situation at Plymouth as he eyes a potential return to the club.

Schumacher's appointment would no doubt get a mixed reaction from Pilgrims supporters, and many remain angry with him for the manner of his departure, but that could quickly be forgotten if he keeps the club in the second tier.

Ryan Lowe

Schumacher is not the only former Plymouth manager closely watching developments with Rooney, with Ryan Lowe also said to be taking a keen interest in events at Home Park.

Lowe made the move to Argyle from Bury in June 2019, and he guided the club to promotion from League Two in his first season in charge before departing in December 2021 to take over at Preston North End with the club sitting fourth in the League One table.

The 46-year-old did a respectable job during his time with the Lilywhites but he resigned from his role at Deepdale in August just one game into the season, revealing that he felt he had taken the club as far as he could.

Given that Lowe did not enjoy the same level of success as Schumacher, it may be harder for Pilgrims supporters to forgive him if he was to return, but he has made no secret of his desire to get back into management and he would likely be among the contenders to replace Rooney.

Gary Rowett

Plymouth have largely appointed young, up-and-coming managers in recent years, but should they decide to turn to a more experienced option, Gary Rowett is one name they could consider.

Rowett has had spells in charge of Birmingham City, Derby County, Stoke City, and Millwall in the Championship, and while his style of football has not always been popular among supporters of the clubs he has managed, he has a strong track record at second tier level.

The 50-year-old suffered relegation to League One during his time as interim manager of Birmingham last season, but in truth, much of the damage had been done before his arrival in March, and while he was unable to save the club, he did inspire an upturn in fortunes, winning three and drawing two of his eight games in charge.

Rowett was brought in too late to prevent the Blues' relegation, but he would have plenty of time to keep Plymouth in the division, and he could be a safe pair of hands to help steady the ship after some damaging results under Rooney.

Matt Bloomfield

It remains to be seen whether Plymouth would be willing to pay compensation to appoint a manager currently in work at another club, but Wycombe Wanderers boss Matt Bloomfield could be a shrewd investment.

Bloomfield, who spent his whole playing career with the Chairboys, made the move from Colchester United to take over at Adams Park in February 2023 to replace the long-serving Gareth Ainsworth, and after a slow start to his tenure, he is now starting to show his managerial credentials.

Wycombe have enjoyed an outstanding start to the season in League One and despite operating on a much lower budget than many of their promotion rivals, they currently sit top of the table following an incredible run of eight consecutive league victories.

Bloomfield was linked with the Coventry City job prior to the appointment of Frank Lampard and with Championship clubs seemingly taking note of his excellent work with the Chairboys, his name would surely be discussed by the Pilgrims if Rooney was dismissed.

Michael Skubala

Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala is another manager currently impressing in League One and he deserves to be considered for Championship vacancies.

Skubala took over at Sincil Bank last November with the Imps sitting in mid-table and his side emerged as play-off contenders after an excellent second half of the season but suffered heartbreak as they missed out on the top six on the final day.

However, Lincoln have responded well to that disappointment, and while they are without a win in their last four league games, they remain firmly among the promotion candidates in the third tier.

Like Bloomfield, Skubala was also believed to be under consideration for the Coventry job, and having spent time as an academy coach at Leeds United earlier in his career, his ability to develop young players could make him the perfect fit for Plymouth.