Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
as the boy wonders Wayne Rooney Celebrating his 40th birthday, long-serving agent Paul Stratford couldn’t be prouder of the way the “Highly Appreciated” star has overcome his demons to become the confident man he is today.
Forward’s jaw-dropping entrance everton To some it will seem like five minutes ago, but Manchester United’s all-time top scorer and England’s most capped outfield male player enters his forties on Friday.
Stretford knows Rooney as well as anyone, having worked with him throughout his journey from teen prodigy to global celebrity, experiencing the career highs and lows as well as the anger and mental-health issues the striker dealt with in the background.
“Remember the day he signed his first major professional contract with Everton and was introduced to the world and the media,” agent Stretford told PA.
“Then look at the man who is standing there right now, who knows his place in the world and is confident about what that place is.
“I don’t think a lot of people gave this much of a chance of happening all those years ago.
“She’s faced demons, she’s faced challenges, but every step of the way, whenever they’ve come along, she’s faced them head on and dealt with them and come out on the other side.”
Shretford’s relationship with Rooney is more of a partnership than a standard agent agreement and he is proud of whatever small part he has played in the life of one of England’s greatest players.
But despite all the impressive statistics, silverware and success, there remains a nagging feeling that the former forward’s qualities have been undervalued.
“I think he’s been underappreciated throughout his career and it’s unfortunate to have him on both ends of the newspaper, both front and back pages,” Stratford said.
“Undoubtedly this has shaped opinion in the early stages and even to this day.
“If you’re talking about the general public and the general football audience, I don’t see him as someone who has really recognized what outstanding ability he had and most importantly the mental capacity and internal toughness to deal with it and achieve success at the other end.”
Rooney’s attitude and ability helped him score 366 goals in 883 appearances for club and country, while also at boyhood club Everton, before stints with D.C. United and Derby bookended his trophy-laden time at United.
120-cap England Mahan cut his managerial teeth before coaching an MLS side, with subsequent stints at Birmingham and Plymouth.
Rooney has been out of work since late last year and is currently spending time with his family as well as working in the media.
“For a lot of players in their 40s, it’s, ‘What do I do now?'” Stretford said.
“He is enjoying being with his children and watching them make their way in life. Three Two of them are involved in professional clubs – Two of them are involved in professional clubs Manchester United And one at Everton.
“(Wife) Colleen has been a rock for Wayne and the family in general, and now they can spend more time together and enjoy that aspect of their lives as well as work hard to provide for their family after his playing career.
“I would say at 40 he’s got to a pretty good place, whereas a lot of us at 40 are thinking, ‘Oh, well, my youthful days are gone, it’s all downhill from here.’
“Wayne is in the position he is in, and the opportunities that are coming to him now, not because of who he is, yes, but because of his personality and his ability to describe what he sees on the pitch like an everyday guy.”
Stretford believes his highly acclaimed BBC podcast is “offering a glimpse of who the real Wayne Rooney has always been” – a “people’s man” who has never forgotten his “street striker” roots.
He said, “Do you know what he will do on his birthday? He will coach kids in Dubai.”
“The beauty of it is he can take Colleen and the kids for half term, but what he’s doing is he’s got his boots on, he’s on the grass, where he enjoys coaching the kids best.”