Wayne Rooney will be watching the FA Cup with pride as his brother John aims to continue a fairytale run with Macclesfield against Brentford
Wayne Rooney will hope brother John can continue his fairytale FA Cup run with Macclesfield FC as they take on Brentford in the fourth round. The brothers have been in football for years, with one somewhat more successful as a player.
Former Manchester United star Wayne couldn’t hide his emotions as he watched John defeat Premier League side Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup third round. National League North side Macclesfield took an unbelievable 2-0 lead against the cup holders and held on to go through to the next round despite a late Palace goal, securing a legacy as one of many ‘giant-killers’ in the cup competition.
The ex-England international had been doing punditry for the BBC and was visibly close to tears after the game. He told the BBC: “I am getting emotional to see my younger brother achieve this. He has not long been in management.
“To get through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, and to beat Crystal Palace a Premier League team? I am so proud of him.”
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Praising John’s calm demeanour during the match, Rooney added: “He did. I don’t know how! It’s such an achievement, absolutely superb.”
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The Macclesfield boss was similarly emotional after the historic achievement. John said: “I am the same. … Late in the game we thought about slowing it down. I never thought we’d be in that situation. I can’t get my head around it.”
The Rooneys grew up in the Croxteth area of Liverpool, with Wayne the eldest brother between himself, John and Graham. The current Macclesfield boss, like Wayne, began his career at Everton, but didn’t have the same trajectory throughout his professional journey in football.
While Wayne rubbed shoulders with icons and became one himself at Manchester United, John spent his career in the MLS and lower leagues in England. He played for Orlando City, Barnsley, Stockport County and the team he now manages, Macclesfield.
Despite never reaching the same heights as his brother while playing, John has certainly enjoyed a fast introduction to life in football management. The 35-year-old retired last year and almost immediately moved into coaching, taking over at Macclesfield from Robbie Savage after hanging his boots up at the club on the same day.
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He has guided the side to 7th in the National League North table and famously led them to a 2-1 win over Palace in the FA Cup. While the pair tend to keep their personal relationship under wraps, Wayne showed a more sensitive side to his bond with John after his FA Cup upset.
The 40-year-old posted his congratulations on social media to John, writing on Facebook: “Couldn’t be any prouder of my brother John. Well done to everyone at Macclesfield. Unbelievable achievement and more than deserved.”
Wayne will be watching on with bated breath as his younger sibling takes on yet another Premier League outfit in the shape of Brentford on Monday night. A place in the fifth round of the FA Cup awaits one of them and the Rooney family will be hoping Macclesfield can further their dream run in the historic competition.
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