Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport, Plymouth

Neil Dewsnip’s departure is not really a surprise after the year Argyle have had.

He was instrumental in the appointment of Ian Foster, whose disastrous three-month spell at the club almost saw the Pilgrims relegated from the second tier.

He was also part of the team that recruited Rooney – leading many fans to accuse Dewsnip of giving jobs to people he knew, rather than the right candidates having worked closely with both – he was at the FA with Foster and coached Rooney at Everton’s academy.

But he is responsible for what happens on the pitch and this season Argyle have been poor – winning just four of their 24 league games and conceding a Championship-high 53 goals in the process.

Many of the club’s summer signings have failed to impress, whether that be due to injury or poor form, and as director of football in Argyle’s recruitment system it was ultimately his call on which players to sign.

Whoever succeeds him has a difficult job – not only do they have to appoint a new head coach, but they must also guide a struggling club with a limited budget through this month’s transfer window with the aim of bolstering the squad to give them a chance of staying up.