Phelan joins Plymouth as Rooney’s number two

Phelan was Sir Alex Ferguson’s First Team Coach from 2001 to 2008 and then his Assistant until 2013. During this time as Assistant, United won three Premier League titles, the Club World Cup, two League Cups and reached the final of the Champions League.

Phelan returned to United as First Team Coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019 and remained under Ralf Rangnick, but departed in 2022 following Erik ten Hag’s arrival as Manager. 

Rooney said: “I am sad to see Pete leave the club. He is someone I have worked with very closely throughout my managerial career, having first met at Derby County, and he has also been a close friend. 

“Pete has some personal matters going on, which is where his focus needs to be, and we all completely respect that and have mutually decided to part ways. 

“Mike is someone I know well having worked with him when I was a player at Manchester United and he has vast experience at the highest level of football.  

“I am really pleased to bring him to Argyle and look forward to seeing him get to work immediately.”