Wayne Rooney has revealed that he’s turned his back on booze, and rather than bottling things up as he has done in the past, he now turns to his wife, Coleen, to discuss his mental health
Wayne Rooney has swapped hitting the bottle for talking to his wife, Coleen. The former Manchester United and England legend has been extremely open about his past wrongdoings. – including paying for sexual services with women.
But nowadays, life is very different for the 40-year-old from Croxteth, Liverpool. Instead, should his children, Kai, 16, Klay, 13, Kit, 10, and Cass, eight, ask any questions, Coleen and Wayne are “straight” with them, knowing all too well that his wrongdoings have been documented over the years.
Although Wayne acknowledges his mistakes, his wife says that when the all-time top goalscorer for United got into trouble, he would often turn to the bottle. Now, he acknowledges that this was down to the pressures he faced playing for his national team and United.
Rooney returned at the age of 35 in January 2021, before taking on the role of Derby County’s manager. He said: “At the time, you don’t realise you’re feeling the pressure as much as I probably was.”
Speaking to The Guardian, Wayne adds: “I wouldn’t go to Coleen and say ‘You know what, I feel like I’m under pressure to perform for Man United and England’.” Coleen, known as WAGatha Christie to millions, says that she would often “sense” things were going on in Wayne’s mind.
Wayne added that he “wouldn’t open up”, especially not to his former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Instead of sharing the intrusive thoughts in his mind, he would head home and instantly reach for the bottle, often making errors of judgment that could have caused his family to fall apart.
“I wouldn’t go to the club,” he said, adding: “It’s probably easier now, because there are more people you can talk to, to prevent stuff like that. Back then, you wouldn’t. So I’d hold it all in and go home and drink.”
“And, at that time, if I was drinking, I’d end up making stupid decisions. And that could have cost me my family. Now if I feel a bit down, I’ll say to Coleen, ‘I feel sh*t.'” Despite Wayne battling with low mental health, he says Sir Alex never sensed this, as he would often “mask” his feelings and continue his euphoric run for the club.
Just last year, Wayne revealed he would be “dead” if it weren’t for his wife after his secret struggles with alcohol. At the height of his struggles while playing for United, he would put eye drops in and consume chewing gum before training.
“I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends and having a night out,” he said, adding: “It got to a point where I went too far, of course it did. That was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively. With alcohol. Massively struggling and I didn’t think I could turn to anyone.”
At times, he would drink for “two days straight” before going to training and playing matches. “Then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again.”
“I honestly believe if she wasn’t there, I’d be dead. I believe that,” he said of his wife on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. Behind the doors of their sprawling Cheshire estate, their children know that Coleen is in charge. If the family are out, she’s the one who goes to the bar and brings drinks back. Whereas if Wayne goes out, she says it’s “mayhem”.
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