Monday, December 23, 2024

Rooney happy with Shuttleworth’s Ireland role

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Pete Shuttleworth (left) has been at Wayne Rooney’s side for most of the former England captain’s coaching career [Rex Features]

Plymouth Argyle coach Pete Shuttleworth’s spell with the Republic of Ireland will help the Championship club, says head coach Wayne Rooney.

Shuttleworth, who is Rooney’s assistant at Home Park, has been involved with the Ireland setup since the summer when he came in to help then-interim boss John O’Shea.

He has stayed with the national side since Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson took charge in July.

Shuttleworth, 45, will be part of the coaching team for their Uefa Nations League games against Finland in Dublin and England at Wembley later this month.

“For me it’s not a problem in terms of international breaks, we’ve got enough coaches here to cover the international break,” Rooney said.

“The more experience your coaches can get will only make them a better coach.”

Shuttleworth followed Rooney to Argyle in May having been part of his coaching team when the former England captain was in charge at Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City.

“I think it’s good for Pete,” Rooney added.

“It’s good in terms of connections, and international football is a bit different as well.

“Pete will be with them next week and moving forwards we’ll see how that looks, but at the minute he’s due to do the trip next week and then we can re-assess.

“It’ll be a bit strange for Pete I’d imagine as a proud Englishman to come up against England, but that’s the nature of the job.”

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