‘I’d be dead’: Wayne Rooney opens up on struggle with Alcohol

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has opened up on his past struggles with alcohol and the role his wife Coleen played for keeping him on the straight and narrow.

According to Rooney, he would ‘be dead’ without his wife’s resilience.

Rooney opened up on the vast impact of Coleen in the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, where he likened her to being his personal manager along with being his partner.

“Coleen is massive,” Rooney said.

“It’s bad because we’re two kids from Croxteth. We grew up together, obviously we started dating and got married, had kids.

“From when I was 17, she knew I was a bit out there. Loved my football, obsessed with football but also loved a night out.

“She’d seen it very early on and she controlled that, helped me control that massively.

“At times, she’d say, ‘What are you doing?’ How she’s managed me, it was like I needed a manager.”

Coleen Rooney and Wayne Rooney during Nordoff Robbins’ Legends of Football at JW Marriott Grosvenor House on October 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by JMEnternational/Getty Images)

But it was when Ferdinand asked about the importance of players’ partners keeping them grounded that Rooney revealed the life-saving role Coleen had played in his career.

“I honestly believe if she weren’t there, I’d be dead,” Rooney said.

“I believe that.

“What she’s done… it’s annoying at times. I’m like, ‘What are you doing?’

“But everything she’s doing is to keep me on this world and the best person.

“I’ve made mistakes in the past which are well documented. I’m a little bit different at times and she keeps me on that path. She’s done that for 20-odd years.”

Despite his talent on the pitch, Rooney was caught in several off-field indiscretions, including admitting to soliciting prostitutes in 2004 and allegations he paid for a threesome with an escort and former Big Brother winner Helen Wood, was his toxic relationship with alcohol.

Wayne Rooney working as a pundit prior to a UEFA Champions League match. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

By his own admission, Rooney’s love for a drink was also what prevented him from having the same drive and desire for improvement that Cristiano Ronaldo had when the pair were both at United.

“I wanted to live my life as well,” Rooney said.

“I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends.

“It got to a point where I went too far. That was a moment in my life where I was struggling (with alcohol), massively.”

Rooney added: “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.

“I remember going into training and putting eye drops in, chewing gum.

“I just drank for two days straight, then came to training.

“On the weekend, I’d score a few goals, then I’d go back and drink for two days straight again.”

Luckily for Rooney, Coleen knew how to tame his party antics enough so he could perform on the big stage for the Red Devils.

Rooney and Coleen married in June 2008 and share four sons together. Kai, Rooney’s eldest, is on United’s books as an academy standout, Klay, who turned 12 in May, while their youngest, Cass, trains at Everton.

But Kit, the third-eldest among the Rooney boys, has targeted a sporting career in a completely different domain.