Wayne Rooney showed just how much being Plymouth Argyle manager means to him with a wild celebration after his side’s last-minute winner against Sunderland.
For a player who has won everything there is to win in English football - including five Premier League titles and a Champions League crown during his time at Manchester United - many would think that managing The Pilgrims wouldn't much compare to Rooney's previous feats.
However, after beginning his first Championship campaign at the helm with two draws and two losses - including a 4-0 embarrassment at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday - some pressure was mounting on the 38-year-old.
Rooney's reaction to Joe Edwards' 93rd-minute strike says it all and shows that the former England star is genuinely invested in the project he has undertaken at Home Park.
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Plymouth's winless first four games began with a defeat to Danny Rohl's Owls at Hillsborough, followed by consecutive 1-1 draws against Hull City and QPR.
Another loss, a 1-0 felling at the hands of Stoke City, saw Rooney facing a tough home fixture against Sunderland with just two points on the board.
The Black Cats' Patrick Roberts opened the scoring 24 minutes from the spot, and a Daniel Ballard own goal pulled Plymouth level. Ryan Hardie then converted a spot-kick of his own to put Rooney's men on the brink of victory before Romaine Mundle equalised in the 86th minute.
However, Edwards' stoppage-time strike ensured that The Pilgrims would keep all three points. Rooney couldn't contain himself when the net bulged and can be seen celebrating passionately with staff and players in the aftermath.
The ex-United striker's managerial career has far from been spectacular to date. He began his stint as head coach at Derby County in 2020, where he was part of a four-person interim head coaching staff.
He eventually took the role as his own, but after financial turmoil and relegation to League One, Rooney resigned to take up the reins of another of his former clubs, DC United, in July 2022. After a single season and failing to make the MLS playoffs, the Englishman and his employers mutually agreed to part ways.
He returned to English football last October, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal with Birmingham City, but won just two matches in 15 and was sacked.
However, Plymouth took a punt on Rooney in May, and after failing to win any of his first four league clashes, he finally guided his side to league victory and can let out a slight sigh of relief.
"Obviously we are delighted with three points," Rooney stated after the game. "I am pleased for the players because they worked hard for it. I think any win is a big win. We have had some good performances all over the pitch.
"It always feels nice to win in any game and to get off the mark in the league. It will now be when is the second win coming? I am genuinely pleased for the team and the fans because the fans have seen what we have been trying to do. It was a big win for the lads. Hopefully, that's the start of a good run for us."
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