Nathan Rooney
{{Short description|English football manager (born 1989)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nathan Rooney
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|9|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Blackburn, England
| currentclub = Larne (Head coach)
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Blackburn Rovers
| manageryears1 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs1 = Colne
| manageryears2 = 2022–2023
| managerclubs2 = Bruno's Magpies
| manageryears3 = 2023
| managerclubs3 = Espinho
| manageryears4 = 2023–2024
| managerclubs4 = FCB Magpies
| manageryears5 = 2024
| managerclubs5 = Larne
| manageryears6 = 2025–
| managerclubs6 = Larne
}}
Nathan Rooney (born 10 September 1989) is an English football manager who is the head coach of NIFL Premiership club Larne.
Early life
Rooney was born in 1989 in Blackburn, England.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12738110/nathan-rooney-interview-taking-gibraltar-side-brunos-magpies-into-europe-and-dreaming-of-a-big-future|title=Nathan Rooney: Taking Gibraltar side Bruno's Magpies into Europe and dreaming of a big future|publisher=skysports.com}}
Playing career
As a youth player, Rooney joined the youth academy of English side Blackburn Rovers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/17820880.nathan-rooneys-route-carlisle-united---via-gibraltar-africa-fleetwood-crawley-coaching-17/|title=Nathan Rooney's route to Carlisle United - via Gibraltar, Africa, Fleetwood, Crawley and coaching at 17|publisher=newsandstar.co.uk}}
Managerial career
Rooney obtained a UEFA A License at the age of twenty-two.{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/nathan-rooney-english-coach-gibraltar-2133428|title=Nathan Rooney: Meet the English coach in Gibraltar dreaming big and taking inspiration from Graham Potter|publisher=inews.co.uk}} In 2020, after spells coaching academy sides of Blackburn Rovers and Fleetwood Town, as well as serving as an assistant coach at Crawley Town, Carlisle United and the Gibraltar national football team, Rooney was appointed manager of English side Colne.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nathan-rooney-richard-duffy-vale-5224871|title=Nathan Rooney and Richard Duffy roles explained|publisher=stokesentinel.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/18747709.ex-carlisle-crawley-coach-set-league-opener-colne-boss/|title=Nathan Rooney is looking for 'nastiness and nous'|publisher=lancashiretelegraph.co.uk}}
In January 2022, he was appointed manager of Gibraltarian side Bruno's Magpies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/nathan-rooney-blackburn-fleetwood-crawley-magpies/|title=Nathan Rooney - The Coaches Voice article}} He oversaw an upturn in form that saw the club secure UEFA Europa Conference League qualification for the first time by finishing 4th. After another season of improvement culminating in a 3rd place finish and the club winning the 2022–23 Rock Cup in his first full campaign, he resigned in May 2023 to take over Portuguese club Espinho.[https://www.fcbmagpies.club/post/nathan-rooney-departs-magpies Nathan Rooney departs Magpies] Bruno's Magpies. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023. However, he returned to the rebranded FCB Magpies later in the summer, without managing a competitive game for Espinho.[https://www.fcbmagpies.club/post/official-announcement Official Announcement] Bruno's Magpies. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023. His first game back in charge saw the Magpies secure their first Pepe Reyes Cup, the traditional curtain raiser for the season between the previous season's league champions and cup winners. The season ended with another third place finish, securing another season of European football. They made headlines after a shock extra-time victory against League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City in July 2024 set up a tie against Danish giants Copenhagen,[https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0718/1460717-magpies-swoop-late-to-end-derrys-european-interest/
Bruno Magpies swoop late to end Derry City's Conference League involvement] RTÉ. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024. which they lost 8–1 on aggregate despite taking an early lead in Denmark through Olatunde Bayode.
In November 2024, Rooney was linked with the vacant position in charge of NIFL Premiership champions Larne, following the loss of Tiernan Lynch to Derry City.[https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/larne-look-to-gibraltar-for-their-new-manager-as-they-close-in-on-fcb-magpies-boss/a759019425.html Larne look to Gibraltar for their new manager as they close in on FCB Magpies boss] Belfast Telegraph. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024. After missing Magpies' 7-0 win over Europa Point, for which assistant Mason McClelland took over, he was officially unveiled by the Invermen on 25 November.[https://larnefc.com/nathan-rooney-appointed-larne-boss/ Nathan Rooney appointed Larne boss] Larne FC. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024. However, his reign was cut short when it was found that he lacked the sufficient license to serve as manager. He instead moved to the role of Head of Football for the remainder of the 2024–25 season, becoming manager once again in May 2025 after enrolling on the UEFA Pro Licence course.
Personal life
Rooney is married to Cymru and Real Betis defender Rhiannon Roberts. The couple's wedding day celebrations, which included a 5-a-side girls vs boys football match, went viral online in 2022.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61925163 Rhiannon Roberts: Wales and Liverpool defender explains viral wedding video] BBC Sport. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
Honours
FCB Magpies
- Rock Cup: 2022–23
- Pepe Reyes Cup: 2023
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rooney, Nathan}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:English football managers
Category:English expatriate football managers
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Gibraltar
Category:Expatriate football managers in Gibraltar
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Portugal