Wayne Rooney's huge BBC salary, U-turn on golden rule with son Kai, Man Utd job ambitions

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Wayne Rooney is without doubt one of the most iconic figures in English football history. As Manchester United's all-time record goalscorer and a former England captain, his legacy is firmly secured.

Since hanging up his boots, however, life has been somewhat turbulent for the man known as 'Wazza.' A difficult start to his managerial career - including disappointing spells at Plymouth Argyle and at Birmingham City - has left his prospects in the dugout uncertain, prompting Rooney to pivot toward a growing career in punditry.

After joining the BBC in 2025 , he has quickly settled into life in the studio. Now a regular face on Match of the Day, the 40-year-old appears to have found renewed purpose in front of the cameras and is aiming - as he did during his player career - to establish himself among the country's very best.

This Saturday, he'll be at the Racecourse Ground to cover Wrexham's FA Cup clash with Chelsea , arguably the pick of the fifth round fixtures, demonstrating the high regard with which he's held at the Beeb.

But punditry isn't the only focus of Rooney's post-playing life. He's also navigating a delicate family situation involving his son Kai, while maintaining a long-term ambition of one day returning to Old Trafford. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at it all.

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Since swapping the pressures of the touchline for the relative comfort of the TV studio, Rooney has gone from strength to strength. Unsurprisingly, that success has been rewarded with a lucrative broadcasting deal.

Reports suggest the Liverpudlian signed a two-year contract at the BBC worth around £800,000 - placing him among the corporation's best-paid football pundits on roughly £400,000 per year. That figure puts him just behind long-time Match of the Day mainstay Alan Shearer, the former England national football team and Premier League striker who reportedly earns about £450,000 annually.

BBC bosses were reportedly desperate to land Rooney after his successful stint during Euro 2024, where his his candid and insightful analysis won over viewers. Of course, the former United star was no stranger to sizeable pay packets long before entering punditry.

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At the peak of his playing career, Rooney reportedly earned more than £300,000 per week. Combined with lucrative endorsement deals with brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola and EA Sports, the Red Devils legend is believed to have built a personal fortune of around £170 million .

For years, a 'golden rule' existed within the Rooney household regarding the footballing career of his eldest son, Kai. The 16-year-old, who is rapidly rising through the ranks of Manchester United's academy, had previously asked his famous father to stay away from his matches to avoid the inevitable media circus and "swarms" of fans.

This 'ban' was designed to let Kai develop his own identity on the pitch without the shadow of his legendary dad looming over the touchline. However, that strict rule has recently been relaxed as the teenager begins to make serious waves at his father's former club.

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Wayne was recently spotted in the stands at Old Trafford, watching with pride as Kai turned out for the Under-18s in a high-profile tie. It was a significant U-turn, signalling that the youngster is now ready to handle the unique pressure that comes with the Rooney name.

Kai is already showing glimpses of his father's talent, though he has recently transitioned from a central striker to a dangerous right-winger. With Wayne now back in the crowd, the next generation of the Rooney dynasty is officially taking centre stage.

Despite his lucrative new career in punditry, Wayne's ultimate goal remains a return to the dugout at the highest level. He has made no secret of his desire to one day manage Manchester United , the club where he spent 13 trophy-laden years.

Rooney has described returning to his former club as a "no-brainer" and has even expressed a willingness to take a step back to move forward. He recently admitted he would "100 per cent" accept a role as an assistant manager if it meant helping the club he loves.

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"Of course I would [take a job on interim manager Michael Carrick's coaching staff]. It's a no-brainer," he said on The Wayne Rooney Show. "I'm not begging for a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would. Appointing the manager is the most important thing."

While some critics doubt his coaching credentials after several tough spells as manager, Rooney's determination remains unshaken. The fire clearly still burns for the United job and it looks as if he's willing to wait for the right moment to make his dream a reality.

Rooney was asked again recently on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast if he would get back into management, to which he said: "I would go back if the right opportunity came up. I'm not in a rush."

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.