Football rivalries don’t just play out on the pitch — they can spill over into the home, as Wayne and Coleen Rooney have hilariously demonstrated.
The couple recently shared a story about the 2020 Merseyside derby celebrations, showing just how passionate football allegiances can get, even within a marriage.
Locked Out Over Liverpool Flags
The drama began when Wayne revealed on his podcast that he had once locked Coleen out of their house after she decorated their home with Liverpool flags following the club’s Premier League title win in 2020.
At the time, Rooney was playing for Derby County, but his loyalty to Everton ran deep.
Sharing a picture of the flags on social media, Coleen responded with a string of emojis — a red flag, a laughing-crying face, and a wink — showing she was taking the story in good humour.
Wayne explained: “Outside the front door there’s a little balcony, and the flag was hanging outside the window.
I told her to get it down. She went up and you actually had to climb out the window, so I locked her out.” He later let her back in “not too long” afterward.
Football Allegiances Run in the Family
Even five years later, football loyalties continue to spark fun conflicts.
Wayne shared that Coleen’s parents now display championship flags at their house after Liverpool’s recent title win, proving that family football pride doesn’t fade.
Wayne himself comes from a family of Everton supporters, while Coleen is a lifelong Liverpool fan.
Their differing allegiances have long been a source of playful tension in the household, highlighting the personal side of football rivalries.
Rooney Reflects on Merseyside Derby Pressure
The intensity of the Merseyside derby is something Wayne knows well, both on and off the pitch.
Ahead of David Moyes’ Everton side visiting Liverpool this weekend, Rooney reflected on his experiences playing in the fixture.
“I hated it. We didn’t win many, so when you do win them, you’ve got to make sure you enjoy it,” he said.
He admitted the week leading up to the derby used to make him feel sick, with the pressure and the constant reminder from staff and fellow Evertonians of what was at stake.
Returning to Everton for a second stint, Rooney would even turn off TVs and avoid any media coverage of the game to keep focused.
“It’s a massive game, and if you win there’s no better feeling,” he added.
Liverpool Aim to Extend Dominance
Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, are off to a perfect start this season, winning all four of their matches.
They will be looking to make it five from five against Everton on Saturday, confident in recent dominance — they have won the last four meetings at Anfield and lost just one home game to the Toffees in the last 25 years.
Football Rivalries Mix Passion and Humor
The Rooneys’ story reminds us that football rivalries can be intense but also entertaining, even for households split by allegiances.
While Wayne’s Everton heart has always run deep, Coleen’s loyalty to Liverpool continues to add humour and spice to life at home, proving that football is as much about family as it is about competition.