There was a time when Coleen Rooney was the swaggiest WAG around, with the kind of social standing that could make or break a person or brand in the blink of an eye. But, sadly for her, a WAG’s influence is limited by her sportsman spouse’s performance – if his career starts plummeting, her power off the pitch will more than likely follow suit. And that’s exactly what’s happened to the 35 year old over the past few years, as her husband Wayne’s so-far lacklustre managerial career (plus his regular drunken faux pas) has caused her to go tumbling down the footballers’ wives’ pecking order.
But you can’t keep an icon down for long. Last week, it was reported that Wayne could very well return to where it all began next year, after one of Everton’s independent shareholders said that he was campaigning to make him manager. If true, this would be a big step and an important honour for Wayne, who grew up supporting the Liverpool-based team and started his career in the Everton youth squad, aged nine, making his England debut while still at the club.
Having spent the last year managing Championship side Derby County, who are reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy, the former England captain could really do with a career break. But it’s Coleen who has the most to gain from the move, especially with her very important year ahead.
According to insiders, the mum of four is keeping everything crossed that they make their glorious return to the Premier League, back in their beloved home city – reminding everyone what the Rooneys are made of.
“Going from the great highs of Wayne’s superstar career to the Derby chapter was difficult for both of them,” says an insider close to the couple, who will finally be moving into their new Cheshire mega-mansion in the next few months and are facing huge costs in keeping it running.
“Wayne slowly got used to being a manager rather than a player, but he misses the elite world of the Premiership – so to be in the running for the Everton job is a dream come true, and Coleen is already celebrating. She found Wayne’s move to Derby harder than him in some ways – while his passion for football got him through it, things were harder for her. She’s tough and independent and can handle a lot of things, but she didn’t want to be seen as just someone from the old WAG era.”
CHECK OUT Wayne and Coleen Rooney's love story from the start
Wayne and Coleen Rooney's relationship timeline - slider
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Even though they first met at school when they were 12, Wayne and Coleen first started dating after they finished school at the age of 16.
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At just 17 Wayne joined Everton football club and even though they'd only been dating a year Coleen admitted that they had already discussed getting married.At the time she admitted: "We want to spend the rest of our lives together and there's no stronger commitment than getting married."
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The happy couple got engaged in 2003 at a petrol station after Wayne got down on one knee. He asked his childhood sweetheart to spend the rest of their lives together with a £46,500 engagement ring.
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Coleen discovered that Wayne slept with a 48-year-old nan in a brothel back in 2002
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The WAG then defended her fiancé and admitted when he cheated they hadn't slept together yet. She added, "we weren't having that kind of relationship at that stage."
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Wayne and Coleen looked totally loved up at a public event a year before they got married
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At the age of 22, Wayne and Coleen tied the knot in a church in Italy!
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2009 – A year after their wedding, the happy couple welcomed their first child Kai into the world
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Just a year after they had their first child it was alleged that while Coleen was pregnant, Wayne cheated with prostitutes Jennifer Thompson and Helen Wood.
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Even though Coleen and Kai moved out of their family home following the allegations, the married couple put their troubles aside and reunited.
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The happy couple look so adorable with their son Kai while they await the arrival of their second child
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The Rooney's welcomed their second baby into the world – Klay
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In 2016, the Rooney family welcome baby Kit into the world
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During the summer holidays Coleen denied being pregnant after this photo emerged (even though she was)
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After denying her pregnancy for weeks the happy couple soon confirmed the exciting news - that they're having their fourth child!
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It was shortly after the Rooney's announced they're having their fourth child that Wayne was pictured and arrested for drunk driving.
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Things went from bad to worst after it came to light that Wayne was driving Laura Simpson's car. She then spoke out and claimed that they "had a kiss, a hug, some banter, harmless fun".
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It was then reported that Coleen along with her sons had fled from the family home after revealing her marriage was over.
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Following the scandal, Wayne received a driving ban for two years following his arrest and Laura appeared on This Morning to deny ever cheating with the footballer.
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After weeks of speculation around the couples marriage, it appeared that all was forgiven and forgotten as it was reported that the pair were planning on renewing their wedding vows.
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Coleen then surprised everyone by being totally honest in a Facebook post and admitted that although she's been through a "shit time" she decided to forgive her husband because she wants to "try and continue our marriage and live as a family".
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In February 2018 the Rooney family got even bigger as the happy couple welcomed their fourth child into the world - baby Cass!Yup. They broke their tradition with names beginning with 'K' but the little is adorable so who cares, ey?
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As heat has told you, Coleen’s been feeling more like herself in recent weeks, and has been showing off a more glamorous look on social media – seemingly sending a clear message to fans that she’s back at the top of her game.
It’s good timing, too, as 2022 will see her finally face her rival Rebekah Vardy in court – the latter is famously suing Coleen for libel. With so much pressure ahead, it’s fair to say that if Wayne signs on the dotted line at Everton, it will send Coleen’s confidence soaring.
“This is all about her and Wayne regaining power,” we’re told. “Coleen remembers when Wayne started out – it was the managers who could part the crowd when they entered a room. It’s next-level stuff, and that’s what she’s got her eyes on. The money is a huge factor, too, especially with her legal fees and the cost of keeping their house running. She’s pushing Wayne to go for it as much as she can – she knows how happy it will make him.”
Come on, Everton, sign Wayne up. Do it for the real MVP.
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.