During his initial tenure, Rooney guided the Magpies to the Conference League qualifiers, but they fell short against the Crusaders from Belfast, preventing a face-off with FC Basel.
He resigned in May 2023 after clinching the Rock Cup, marking the club’s first trophy, and secured a third-place finish in the Gibraltar Football League to qualify for European competition once more, only to return in September.
Now, Rooney and his team are aiming to replicate the most significant achievement in Gibraltar club history: the Red Imps’ stunning 1-0 victory over Celtic in 2016.
Copenhagen’s visit to the British Overseas Territory isn’t a new affair; they previously overcame the Red Imps 4-0 during the Champions League group stage in the 2021-22 season.
A 3-2 aggregate victory over Derry City in the first qualifying round this month allowed the Magpies to land their prestigious match-up, which Rooney acknowledges as a significant opportunity.
“This is the biggest match in the club’s history. Will Bruno’s Magpies face a greater challenge against Copenhagen in the future? Whether it’s during my time or someone else’s, we won’t know,” he shared.
“The true weight of this moment won’t be apparent until after the away leg when we leave the arena with our families, hopefully in a good position regarding the outcome.
“When we shake hands with the opponents and see both badges on the program, it signifies tremendous history. We can’t stop here; we must embrace the next challenge, keep pushing forward, and aspire to experience this feeling again.”
Copenhagen, managed by Jacob Neestrup, made it to the last 16 of the Champions League last season, their first appearance at that stage since 2010-11.
They finished second in Group A, achieving victories against Galatasaray and managing a draw against Bayern Munich, while they also staged a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to defeat Manchester United 4-3.
This presents a significant challenge for Rooney, but it’s one he insists they will celebrate, regardless of the result.
He adds: “Will they take it easy or come here looking to finish the job? Will they be distracted by the league? Those are the questions we’ve been contemplating. They have every advantage, while we rely on our determination.
“It’s a test of our mental strength. We hope to be in a strong mindset and rise to the occasion.
“We seem to thrive in big-game situations. This is another opportunity for us to create more history. Whether through our performance or the final score, we’re in it together.”
