Wayne Rooney struggles to appreciate he is a better player than those he trains, according to Birmingham City goalkeeper John Ruddy.
The former Manchester United and Everton forward recently started his fourth job in management after stints with Derby, DC United and Birmingham. Rooney, now in charge of Plymouth Argyle, lasted just three months at St. Andrew's after controversially replacing John Eustace with the Blues in the play-off spots.
Rooney was in charge for just 15 games before being relieved of his duties without overseeing a transfer window. And Ruddy believes that his former manager's footballing brain was beyond the players he had at his disposal.
"You forget how good a player he was," he said on Ben Foster's Fozcast. "We're on the training pitch and he's saying, 'No lads, I want you to do this'.
"And he'd take a touch and pick this ball over the top, inch-perfect. You're going, 'Yeah, that's the level you're used to. We're not quite there'.
"His footballing brain is so advanced because of how he was as a player. It's trying to get that dynamic, when you're someone like Wayne Rooney, that you're not dealing with a team of Wayne Rooneys."
Rooney nevertheless left a positive impression on Ruddy. The ex-Norwich shotstopper noted that the former England captain plans to manage from a distance but enjoys being in the cut and thrust of sessions.
Ruddy said: "Wayne came in and tried to implement a style of play which was more possession-based, more building from the back, with the same players. He was always on the pitch - he was more of an overseer.
"I felt like I got on well with him, I had a couple of nice conversations with him. He made it clear he wants to be a manager, not a coach.
"He's not going to be the one setting up the sessions and delivering sessions all the time - he has his backroom staff for that. But he'd dip in and out during the sessions."
Last month Rooney was appointed as head coach of Plymouth Argyle and believes the role is ideal for his next step.
“Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the Chairman and Board for the faith they have shown in me," he said.
“This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.
“I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park. The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.