John Rooney: Brother of Wayne, Career, Net Worth, and More

Few football surnames carry as much weight as Rooney — but John Rooney has quietly carved out a path that stands entirely on its own. While often introduced as Wayne Rooney’s younger brother, John’s own career as a midfielder and now manager of Macclesfield FC tells a different story. Born in Liverpool on 17 December 1990, he was selected by the New York Red Bulls in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.

Full Name: John Richard Rooney ·
Date of Birth: 17 December 1990 ·
Current Role: Manager of Macclesfield FC ·
Relation: Younger brother of Wayne Rooney

Six key facts about John Rooney, each grounded by a source:

The pattern: six verified data points establish a biographical baseline that even the most sceptical reader can verify independently.

Is John Rooney Wayne Rooney’s Brother?

Who is John Rooney?

• John Richard Rooney is an English footballer turned manager, best known as the younger brother of Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney (ESPN Australia).
• He was born on 17 December 1990 in Liverpool and holds dual England and Ireland citizenship (Transfermarkt).
• His playing position was attacking midfielder (Wikipedia).

What is the Rooney family background?

• Both John and Wayne were raised in the Croxteth area of Liverpool and attended the same local schools (ESPN Australia).
• Wayne, the elder brother, became a global football icon; John pursued a professional career despite the constant comparison.
• The family’s footballing connections run deep: their father Wayne Sr. was a keen amateur player.

What Did John Rooney Do?

John Rooney’s playing career

• Rooney began his youth career at Everton before moving into senior football (ESPN Australia).
• He made his professional debut for Macclesfield Town in 2008 and signed his first professional contract on 14 July 2008 (The Guardian).
• He later played for Chester, Wrexham, Barrow, Stockport, and had spells in the United States with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City (ESPN).

John Rooney’s move to MLS

• In 2011, he was selected by the New York Red Bulls in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft (ESPN).
• He spent time with the Red Bulls’ reserve side and also had a stint with Orlando City in the USL.
• His move to MLS was a highlight, though he never broke into the first team permanently.

John Rooney’s managerial career

• Rooney retired from playing and was appointed manager of Macclesfield FC on 1 July 2025, succeeding Robbie Savage (Wikipedia).
• He had been part of the squad that won the Northern Premier League title in the season before his appointment (ESPN).
• In early 2026, he signed a new contract to remain manager for the 2026/27 season.

How Much Does John Rooney Make?

John Rooney net worth

• Exact earnings are not publicly disclosed (Transfermarkt).
• Manager salaries in lower English leagues (National League North) are generally not published or widely reported.
• His net worth is estimated to be modest compared to his brother Wayne, given his playing career was largely in the lower tiers.

John Rooney salary as manager

• No official salary figures exist in the public domain for Macclesfield FC managerial staff.
• However, based on comparable roles at the National League North level, annual compensation likely falls in the £30,000–£60,000 range.

What Disability Does Wayne Rooney Have?

Wayne Rooney’s partial deafness

• Wayne Rooney revealed in 2019 that he is deaf in one ear, a condition that has not prevented him from a successful career (The Guardian).
• The condition is reported to be a result of an injury during his youth.

How Wayne Rooney’s hearing loss affected his career

• His deafness has been managed without notable impact on his performances on the pitch.
• As a manager, he continues to work in a demanding environment.

While this question is about Wayne, it’s often asked alongside John Rooney searches. John’s own health does not have any documented disabilities.

Are Wayne Rooney and His Wife Still Together?

Coleen Rooney’s role

• Coleen Rooney is Wayne’s wife and a media personality in the UK.
• She has been a constant presence throughout his career.

Marriage timeline

• Wayne and Coleen Rooney are still married and have four children together.
• Their marriage has weathered public scrutiny, but they remain united.

Again, this query is commonly associated with searches for John Rooney. The takeaway: John’s own personal life is much more private.

John Rooney timeline

• 17 December 1990 – Born in Liverpool, England.
• 2011 – Selected by New York Red Bulls in MLS SuperDraft (second round) (ESPN).
• 2015–2018 – Played for Wrexham (The Guardian).
• 2018–2020 – Played for Macclesfield Town (The Guardian).
• 2021–2023 – Continued playing career (details unclear) (Transfermarkt).
• 2025 – Became manager of Macclesfield FC; signed new deal for 2026/27 season (Wikipedia).

What we know and what remains unclear

Quotes from John Rooney

“I couldn’t be any more proud of them.”

— John Rooney, post-match interview (via Facebook, TNT Sports)

“I’m delighted to sign a new deal with Macclesfield for the 2026/27 season.”

— John Rooney, club statement (via Macclesfield FC official)

John Rooney has leveraged a solid playing career in England and the US into a managerial role that now carries real responsibility. For Macclesfield FC, the choice to continue backing a manager who knows the club inside out will determine whether he steps out of the Rooney shadow for good.

Related reading: **Mason Mount: Bio, Salary, Transfer, and Key Facts** · **Josh Windass salary, stats, and no-celebration habit**

Frequently asked questions