John Rooney (foto: Getty Images)
John Rooney, Wayne Rooney’s brother and Macclesfield manager, is enjoying unexpected fame after knocking Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup, with TV appearances, record prize money, and a new cult-hero status.
John Rooney has spent most of his life in the shadow of his famous brother Wayne Rooney.
Now, at 35, he is finally enjoying his own moment in the spotlight — and he is loving every minute of it.
The manager of Macclesfield became one of the stories of the season after his team sensationally knocked holders Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup in the third round, completing one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history.
Installed as boss of the Silkmen last July, Rooney has already written himself into the club’s folklore.
“For teams at our level, financially it’s huge”
Macclesfield, who now play in the National League North after being reborn as a phoenix club, are not used to this kind of attention — or money.
By beating Palace, they banked £121,500 in prize money. Including wins over Stamford, AFC Totton and Slough, the club have now earned a total of £258,125 from this FA Cup run alone.
On top of that, the Palace match brought in another £80,000 in BBC broadcast money, while the Premier League side also allowed Macclesfield to keep 100 percent of the gate receipts from the sold-out tie.
Speaking on Gary Neville’s Overlap podcast, Rooney could hardly hide his satisfaction.
“For teams at our level, financially it’s huge for our club,” he said.
“We don’t really play on TV that much at this level and the last two games have been. I’m sure we’ll be on it again next round, so that’s massive for the club.”
He even admitted that the recent TV games have “probably covered the budget for the season”.
Another jackpot waiting
If Macclesfield manage another miracle and beat Brentford in the fourth round, they will earn a further £127,000 in prize money — before any extra TV income is counted.
For a club at this level, it is life-changing money.
A new cult hero — and a new smile
Rooney has also become an unexpected media star.
After the Palace win, he appeared on TV alongside his emotional brother Wayne, who was on punditry duty and struggled to hold back tears.
Many viewers noticed something else too: John Rooney’s dazzling smile.
An aesthetics expert even told the British media that dental work can completely change someone’s appearance — and Rooney’s transformation certainly did not go unnoticed.
Whatever the reason, the new manager suddenly looks like a Hollywood underdog hero — and he is enjoying the attention.
From Everton academy to journeyman
Like Wayne and their brother Graham, John came through Everton’s academy.
But while Wayne became a global superstar, John’s career took a very different path.
He played for 11 different clubs, including spells in the USA with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, and later in England with Barnsley, Bury, Wrexham, Guiseley, Barrow, Stockport County and Oldham.
For years, he worked quietly in the lower leagues, far away from the spotlight.
“I’ve got my own career”
Long ago, he summed up his approach simply:
“People are obviously going to bring Wayne up, but I’ve got my own career. I’ve got to put myself first.”
Now, for the first time, the football world is really talking about John Rooney.
Another fairytale chapter?
Macclesfield will now host Brentford in the fourth round.
“We said before that we would have liked to get Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal, but another Premier League side is incredible,” Rooney said.
Whether the story ends here or continues, one thing is already clear:
John Rooney is no longer just Wayne’s brother. He is the man behind one of the FA Cup’s greatest modern fairy tales — and he is finally enjoying the spotlight.