1 hour ago
1
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has heaped praise on Wayne Rooney for his punditry, although he's less impressed with other former professionals sharing their views.
Rooney, a prominent voice in the Premier League this season, hasn't been afraid to ruffle feathers - including Virgil van Dijk's. The ex-Manchester United striker has swapped management for full-time punditry.
After challenging managerial spells at Birmingham and Plymouth in the Championship, he's become a regular on Match of the Day, hosts his own BBC podcast, and features on Amazon's live match coverage. Despite stumbling in his last two coaching roles, Rooney has made a significant impact as a pundit.
His candid views on United and confrontations with Liverpool captain Van Dijk have made for gripping viewing - the kind of content that would make Souness proud, given his 15-year stint on Sky Sports.
“I like listening to Wayne Rooney as a pundit because he talks common sense,” Souness told The Daily Mail. “If you’re putting together an all-time Manchester United team, Wayne Rooney is one of the first names on the sheet – he was a real warrior.
“I love Wayne Rooney as a player, and I like to listen to him – he has got authority so I can listen to him. Some of the other pundits, I turn the sound down.”
Much like United icon Roy Keane, Souness was known for his forthright views and no-nonsense attitude towards the contemporary game.
He stepped down from his Sky role at the close of the 2022-23 season, passing the baton to the likes of Rooney.
His confrontation with Van Dijk brought him into direct contact with the Liverpool captain after some sharp criticism.
Rooney later conceded that he had been "a bit unfair" in his remarks about the Dutchman's commitment amid Liverpool's recent difficulties, but affirmed he would continue to voice his thoughts.
"My job now is to give my opinions. I like to think I try and be straight and honest with my opinions on what I feel and what I see," he explained on the Overlap Fan Debate podcast.
"I said on my podcast the other day, the one thing where I maybe went a bit too strong is where I said he’s maybe downed tools since he signed a new contract – that’s a big statement to say, so maybe I was wrong on that.
"But from a performance level, from what we’ve seen, Van Dijk, I don’t think he’s been at the level he has this season.
"I said I’m sure as captain he’d be speaking to players, taking the team out for food, which he said he has done. Clearly, if he’s felt he’s done that, he’s had to do that, then there’s something not right."
English (US) ·