Rooney admits he would be 'dead' if his wife didn't help him
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 25.09.25. | 17:49
Former Manchester United striker admits he was drinking heavily as well
Wayne Rooney had a brilliant career — he’s not considered one of the best English footballers of the 21st century for nothing. He won a mountain of trophies, both club and individual ones… But the impression remains that he might have achieved even more. Perhaps he would have, had it not been for his struggles with alcohol during his playing career — something Rooney admitted while appearing on a podcast hosted by his former Manchester United teammate, Rio Ferdinand.
Moving to Manchester United at the age of 18, getting married at the very young age, being in the media almost every day….it all affected the then young star, who also admitted he wanted to go out as much as playing football. And he started drinking heavily, sometimes for two days in a row.
“I didn't think I could turn to anyone. I didn't really want to because I didn't want to put that burden on anyone. Come training and at the weekend I'd scored two goals and then I'd go back and go and drink for two days straight again” he said to his former teammate Ferdinand.
One of the reasons he survived everything is his wife and he was not shy to acknowledge that.
“I honestly believe if she weren't there I'd be dead. Coleen is massive. It's bad because we're two kids from Croxteth and then we grew up together and obviously we started dating and we got married and have kids. But when I was 17 she could see, she knew my mind and she knew I was a bit out there. You know, I loved my football, obsessed with football but also I loved a night out or whatever going out. She's seen it very early on and she's controlled that. Well, not controlled but helped me control that massively. And at times you're like, "What are you doing? Why do you keep saying don't do this or don't do that?" How she's managed me because I needed managing. The best person and I've made mistakes in the past which are well documented and whatever but I'm a little bit different at times and she keeps me on that path and she's done it for 20-odd years” he admitted.
Hid wife decided to be quiet and not give any statement (or divorce Rooney) back in 2004 when he moved to Manchester United at the age of 18. It was In 2004 after Wayne, then aged 18, moved to Manchester United, it was discovered that Rooney allegedly paid 140 pounds for sex with prostitute Charlotte Glover (21). It was also claimed that at a brothel in Liverpool he slept with Gina McCarrick, then 37, and grandmother Patricia Tierney, then 48.
