Wayne Rooney Faces New Reality as Wife Coleen Tops Rich List

Wayne Rooney may have scored record-breaking goals for Manchester United and England, but right now the biggest talking point around the striker-turned-coach is who earns more in the Rooney household.

Wayne Rooney’s shifting financial spotlight

Once the Premier League’s highest-paid player, Wayne Rooney reportedly banked more than £170 million during a glittering playing career. Coaching, however, has proved a tougher arena. Short stints at Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City and most recently Plymouth Argyle have delivered modest pay cheques and even more modest results. His estimated £500,000 annual salary at Home Park was a world away from the eight-figure contracts of his Old Trafford peak, and his January dismissal left him searching for the next touchline opportunity.

How Coleen Rooney became the main earner

Coleen Rooney’s career was once dismissed as the typical “WAG” blueprint of fashion columns and occasional TV slots. That changed when the 2024 edition of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here thrust her back into prime-time fame. Finishing runner-up in the Australian jungle, Coleen charmed viewers, boosted her social-media following and unlocked a raft of lucrative deals. Reports suggest Disney+ is lining up a £10 million documentary series, while endorsements, publishing offers and lifestyle partnerships keep piling up. Industry insiders now value her net worth at £15 million—and rising fast.

Ulrika Jonsson twists the knife

Writing in The Sun, TV personality Ulrika Jonsson cheekily noted that being known as “Mr Coleen Rooney” must “really suck” for a sporting icon accustomed to adoration. Jonsson praised Coleen’s dignified silence during earlier tabloid storms and her steady ascent into genuine businesswoman status. In contrast, she portrayed Wayne Rooney as “a not overly successful jobbing manager for minor clubs,” a verdict many supporters would deem harsh yet difficult to ignore given recent results.

The stark numbers behind the headlines

• Wayne Rooney net worth: £170 million (largely from playing days, sponsorships and punditry).
• Coleen Rooney net worth: £15 million—but current annual income projected to eclipse Wayne’s.
• Disney+ docu-series bid: £10 million.
• Plymouth Argyle salary: £500,000 per year before sacking.
• Social-media reach: Coleen gained 2 million followers during I’m A Celeb.

Why Wayne Rooney’s coaching road looks rocky

Wayne Rooney’s managerial résumé remains short on silverware. Derby’s financial crisis earned him sympathy, yet two wins in 15 matches at Birmingham and a 14-game stint at Plymouth that ended in the relegation zone have chipped away at his aura. Punditry offers on Sky Sports and TNT Sports provide steady income and visibility, but until he proves himself in the dugout, the coaching market will view him as a gamble rather than a guaranteed upgrade.

Can Wayne Rooney reclaim the financial crown?

Football does offer rapid redemption. A mid-table Championship side in need of a marquee name could hand Wayne Rooney the platform to rebuild credibility and bank balance. Overseas leagues—from MLS to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League—remain intrigued by his brand power. Even a short-term consultancy could command seven figures. Yet the longer he sits out, the louder the “Mr Coleen Rooney” jokes will ring.

Coleen’s brand playbook: lessons for athletes’ partners

Coleen Rooney’s evolution underscores how modern celebrity is earned, not gifted. By diversifying into documentaries, reality TV, fashion collaborations and targeted philanthropy, she has future-proofed her brand. Her approach mirrors Victoria Beckham’s pivot from pop star to luxury fashion mogul—showing that strategic reinvention can outstrip even the richest playing contracts.

Public perception: sympathy, schadenfreude or simple curiosity?

Social-media reaction to Ulrika Jonsson’s remarks was mixed. Some fans empathised with Wayne Rooney, citing his service to club and country. Others revelled in the role reversal, arguing that Coleen endured years of tabloid intrusion and now deserves her moment. What unites both camps is fascination with how a marriage once epitomising football excess has flipped the traditional power balance.

What’s next for Wayne Rooney and Coleen?

Wayne Rooney is reportedly in talks with broadcasters for a behind-the-scenes series charting his managerial comeback—a project that could coincide with any new dugout appointment. Coleen, meanwhile, is curating her Disney+ docu-series and negotiating fresh fashion lines timed for Christmas. Far from competing, the couple could soon find synergy in parallel media empires, leveraging one another’s platforms for mutual profit.

Opinion: tables turned, legacy intact

Wayne Rooney’s trophy cabinet and global reputation remain untouched; goals cannot be repossessed. Yet his current predicament is a cautionary tale for athletes who neglect post-playing planning. Coleen Rooney’s rise illustrates the power of adaptability and patience. Being called “Mr Coleen Rooney” might bruise the ego, but if it spurs Wayne to refine his coaching craft, both Rooneys—and football—stand to benefit.