Wayne Rooney eclipsed by Coleen’s booming earnings

Wayne Rooney is discovering what it feels like to swap legendary status on the pitch for a supporting role at home, as fresh reports suggest his wife Coleen Rooney now banks more cash than the former Manchester United and England captain.

Wayne Rooney and Coleen Rooney: shifting fortunes

The balance of power in the Rooney household has flipped. At the height of his playing career, Wayne Rooney reportedly commanded more than £300,000 per week, sponsorships included, while Coleen’s media work ticked along in the background. Fast forward to 2024 and the numbers tell a different story. Coleen’s runner-up finish on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! has triggered a tidal wave of lucrative offers, from brand partnerships to a Disney+ docuseries reportedly worth £10 million. Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, is counting the cost of two tough managerial spells that ended abruptly at Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle.

How Coleen built a post-jungle empire

Coleen Rooney has never been short of profile, but the Australian jungle magnified her appeal far beyond the traditional WAG sphere. Audience engagement translated directly into commercial clout. Social-media analytics agency Hookit estimates her Instagram interactions surged by 250 percent during the reality-show run, giving brands tangible reach. Fashion labels, health-food companies and streaming platforms piled in with six- and seven-figure deals. Crucially, Coleen’s team has focused on long-term revenue rather than quick cash; equity-based partnerships and a carefully curated lifestyle label are set to deliver residual income well into the next decade. Industry analysts now value her annual earnings at close to £8 million, up from roughly £1.2 million pre-jungle.

Managerial missteps dent Wayne Rooney earnings

Wayne Rooney’s transition from elite striker to touchline tactician has been bumpy. His Derby County stint showcased promise under severe financial restrictions, yet subsequent posts have seen his stock fall. Birmingham City gambled on his star power but dismissed him after just 83 days and two league wins. Plymouth Argyle hoped Rooney’s network would unlock Premier League loanees, only to sack him after a ten-game winless run. Each exit reportedly cost the club in severance, but Rooney’s performance-related clauses meant lost bonuses for the man himself. Where he once commanded £300,000 a week as a player, his Argyle salary was around £10,000 per week—still enviable but dwarfed by Coleen’s new deals.

The view from Ulrika Jonsson

Television personality Ulrika Jonsson summed up public sentiment in her Sun column: “It must really sting for him to be known as Mr Coleen Rooney.” Jonsson’s commentary echoes a broader conversation about masculinity, earnings and ego. Few athletes have enjoyed the hero worship Wayne Rooney experienced; fewer still see that spotlight shift to a partner. Friends insist he is proud of Coleen’s success, yet former teammates speculate privately that the competitive edge which drove him on the field may now be turning inward.

Net worth numbers tell the story

Headline wealth figures still favour Wayne Rooney. Estimates place his net worth around £170 million thanks to Manchester United titles, MLS wages at D.C. United, image-rights windfalls and a property portfolio stretching from Cheshire to Florida. Coleen’s current net worth sits near £15 million but is rising fast. The gap is narrowing because Wayne Rooney’s earnings have plateaued, while Coleen’s are climbing exponentially. Financial advisor David McDonnell notes, “If Coleen maintains her present trajectory for the next five years, and if Wayne’s managerial salaries remain mid-table Championship level, she could overtake him in cumulative income inside a decade.”

What the future holds for Wayne Rooney

For Wayne Rooney to restore his professional momentum, the next appointment is critical. Sources close to the League Managers Association suggest he will bide his time, targeting an assistant role at a stable Premier League club where he can learn without the glare. Media work provides a safety net: Sky Sports and TNT Sports both rate his punditry, offering flexible contracts worth up to £2 million annually. Away from cameras, Rooney is enrolled on UEFA’s elite coaching course and spends time at Carrington observing Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United sessions. The plan, according to confidants, is a return to top-flight management within three years.

Opinion: A modern football power shift

The Wayne Rooney earnings narrative is less a cautionary tale than a snapshot of changing times. Where once a footballer’s wage packet dwarfed every partner’s paycheque, diversified media channels and influencer economies have redrawn the map. Coleen Rooney leveraged visibility, relatability and entrepreneurial nous to build a brand less volatile than results-based coaching. Wayne Rooney, for all his trophies, inhabits a profession where two bad months can wipe out a year’s salary. Ultimately, equality in a household should be cause for celebration, not embarrassment. If anything, Coleen’s ascent might liberate Wayne to pursue managerial education without pressure to be the primary breadwinner—a luxury few rookie coaches enjoy.