Coleen Rooney opens up on long-distance relationship with Wayne and why she refuses to move to Plymouth

Coleen and children
-Credit: (Image: No credit)


Coleen Rooney, renowned for being a hands-on mum and wife to football star Wayne Rooney, has shared insights into the challenging role of a working mum. Tied to the whirlwind of raising four lively sons, managing a smart business portfolio and maintaining a household single-handedly while her husband coaches Plymouth Argyle in Devon, she's got her hands full.

In an exclusive chat, Coleen opened up about the dynamics of their long-distance marriage and how they're keeping the sparks flying after 22 years together. From Cheshire, the 38 year old spoke candidly: "We see him a couple of times a week, which is good. He went to America, so this is a bonus because even though it seems like far away, it's easier to get to than Washington, DC."

She continued on the logistics of daily life and communication with Wayne: "There's lots of FaceTime and he always phones when we're going out of the door in the morning. I'm like, 'Just wait till we're in the car. I've got no time.'".

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In discussing potential relocation closer to Wayne, also 38, Coleen highlighted the family's carefully considered decision-making process, saying: "We thought long and hard about it (moving to Devon) but with the kids it didn't work.", reports the Mirror.

"Kai's now in year 10 and just starting GCSE prep and everything's going well with football, and the other boys are all settled at school, so it didn't seem fair on the children to pick them up and take them away, and start in a whole new place. It's manageable. It's life. Other couples and families have similar situations and have to get on with it."

She claims that she has mastered the art of balancing tasks seamlessly. "I've got a house of four boys. Well, five boys," she adds with a nod to Wayne. "It is hectic. The key thing is I'm really organised. Preparation is key and just to make sure everything's done beforehand. I think that is my main strength."

Coleen dismisses rumours suggesting she sorts out care packages for Wayne to keep him eating healthy while he's away. She explains: "My mum said that to me last night. I was like, 'Oh no, I've got no time to do that for him when I've got all those kids at home."

When they spend time together, their favourite pastime is hitting a gig or simply kicking back on the couch for a good chat. Coleen reveals: "We love a concert. That's probably one of our favourite things to do, just us or with friends."

In 2022, Wayne Rooney expressed his admiration for singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran following a live performance, sharing on Instagram alongside a picture with his wife, Coleen: "Ed Sheeran... class as always. Brilliant concert."

Meanwhile, Coleen Rooney has revealed some of the secrets to maintaining her marriage's success: "We also like a night in just sitting in front of the telly, catching up on things. We always try to make time for each other, no matter what. We've always done that and I think that's what has kept a good ongoing relationship."

When asked if the couple still indulges in romantic gestures after all this time, Coleen laughingly admits: "We're past that!"

Having entered the limelight at a young age due to childhood sweetheart Wayne's football prowess, she has had to mature quickly and together they have weathered their share of well-documented challenges. One of the most notable was the highly-publicised libel court case known as the Wagatha Christie saga, which ultimately concluded in Coleen's favour.

Post-trial, Coleen sought solace in the privacy and strength of her family. She disclosed how her resilience has been shaped by her mental fortitude and support network: "I'm quite strong minded and I've been able to cope with stress, mentally in the past and into the present. I'm lucky with that," while stressing the importance of a supportive environment, particularly given her exposure to fame from a young age.

Coleen and sons
Coleen and sons

Reflecting on those times, she said: "It's always been important for me to have good people around me. Being in the spotlight since I was 16, now looking at it, my eldest is nearly 15. At the time, I didn't think it was young but it was very young. I don't know whether I would've got through it without a strong unit around me."

Coleen has reflected on the support system that has been her pillar during challenging times, saying: "I'm really lucky I have got that and it is important to have people you can trust and you can confide in. That's been my strength going through it."

As her son Kai approaches his 15th birthday, Coleen finds herself thinking back to her own youth and that iconic image of her at 16, fresh from school, captured the day she entered the limelight. She became an instantly recognised figure as the teenage girlfriend of one of England's brightest football prospects after Wayne Rooney emerged from the bench to net a stoppage-time decider for Everton against Arsenal.

She looks back and states: "I was wise for my age but I had to grow up quick. I wouldn't say I am more protective of him (Kai), I would say it opens your eyes that things can happen young and to make them aware. When Wayne was coming up, he wasn't on social media, whereas now there's a lot more of that and that's where you've got to prepare the kids for if they do go on to be successful."

She adds insight into their preparation, mentioning: "But the football academy they are in, and school as well, they have workshops and they prepare the kids for what you should and shouldn't do on social media. It's always good to nip in the bud earlier than later."

Now focused on looking ahead, Coleen is intent on leaving past dramas behind and concentrating on what comes next. She beams with pride at every mention of her sons Kai, 14, Klay, 11, Kit, eight, and Cass, six. Sharing their passions, she reveals: "They're very sporty but my younger two enjoy music.

One is learning guitar, the other piano and both of them drums. The two older ones are football-mad and my eldest loves speaking Spanish at the minute and is into this Spanish rap. So he's doing that all over the house. The house is even noisier."

Kai and Klay are part of Manchester United's academy, and when asked about the pressure of living up to their father's legacy, Coleen says: "We've never pressured them into even playing football. We've always just let them decide what they want to do."

"My eight year old was playing and doing really well but then decided he didn't want to, and that's OK. I think they sometimes get pressure off other people, you know. People approach them now and then if we're out, they do say, 'Are you as good as your dad? '".

"Kai says 'I'm a different type of player.' You've got to let them know that you don't have to follow and to be your own person."

With a busy schedule ahead, Coleen is also the ambassador for Liverpool-based supplements brand Applied Nutrition and is set to launch her own range with them. She enthuses: "Applied Nutrition are fantastic quality and just make you feel better. Next year, we're looking at bringing out my own range with them, which is so exciting. The range will be based on the needs of females."

"It's really important for women to look after themselves. A lot of us have a busy lifestyle, whether it be looking after children, working, life is hectic for most people. I used to skip breakfast, so now I'll have a protein shake every morning and I'll include the collagen in that. It gives me energy and also we all want to look young forever."

Coleen Rooney is an ambassador for Applied Nutrition, the global leader in nutrition and wellness products. Find out more at appliednutrition.uk