Coleen Rooney reveals why she insists on long-distance relationship with Wayne
Coleen Rooney has lifted the lid on what it's like to be living apart from football manager husband Wayne - and why she insists on the arrangement. The Manchester United, Everton and England legend is now manager of Devon-based Plymouth Argyle, playing in the Championship - the second tier in England.
Coleen, mum to their four boys, runs the household herself while Wayne is busy with the reins of The Pilgrims and has told how they keep their 22-year romance alive. In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, the 38-year-old said: "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.
"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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Coleen reveals she did consider a move from their Cheshire home so they could be nearer Wayne, 38, but ruled it out because of their four boys, who are all under 15. She says: "We thought long and hard about it (moving to Devon) but with the kids it didn’t work. 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.
"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 says she’s got the juggling down to a fine art. She said: "I've got a house of four boys. Well, five boys. she laughs. 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 laughs off reports she has been sending care packages down to Wayne to ensure he’s eating healthily. She says: “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 do get together, they love nothing more than enjoying a gig – or just sitting on the sofa and catching up. Coleen says: “We love a concert. That’s probably one of our favourite things to do, just us or with friends.”
In 2022, Wayne shared an Instagram picture of him and Coleen with Ed Sheeran and wrote: “Ed Sheeran… class as always. Brilliant concert.” Coleen says: “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.”
So, do the pair make romantic gestures when they are reunited? “We’re past that!” she laughs. Liverpool-born Coleen was just 16 when she was thrust into the spotlight after childhood sweetheart Wayne piqued the interest of the football world with his impressive skills.
It meant she had to grow up fast – and she and Wayne have gone through some very public trials and tribulations since. Coleen even found herself in a multi-million pound libel court battle, dubbed the Wagatha Christie saga. When the case concluded, in Coleen’s favour, she retreated quietly to her family.
She says they are the key to her remaining strong. “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,” she says. 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. 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.”
Looking at Kai, who will soon be 15, Coleen is reminded of her younger self and the now famous first picture of her at 16, dressed in her uniform after a day at school. She was catapulted into the public sphere and became a household name. Everyone wanted to know who was the girlfriend of England’s most promising football talent – the 16-year-old who caught everyone’s attention by coming off the bench to score a last-minute winner for Everton against Arsenal.
She recalls: “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.
"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.”
With the dramas of the past few years left behind, Coleen now wants to focus on the future. She lights up with every mention of sons Kai, 14, Klay, 11, Kit, eight, and Cass, six. Proudly sharing their interests, she says: “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 have been signed to Manchester Utd’s academy. So what’s it like trying to follow in the footsteps of one of the world’s best players? Coleen insists: “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.”
Coleen’s schedule is about to get busier as she is the ambassador for Liverpool-based supplements brand Applied Nutrition. She is now the face of its new campaign and says: “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
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