Wayne Rooney has said he was "really vulnerable" and "at a crossroads" when filming began on his new family docuseries, The Real Rooneys.
The former Manchester United and England footballer appears alongside his wife Coleen and their four sons in the series, which offers a glimpse inside their family life.
Speaking to RTÉ 2FM's Emma Power, Rooney said filming began at a difficult point in his career after he lost his job as manager of Plymouth Argyle.
"Unfortunately, I was sacked as it started, so I was really vulnerable and I was at a crossroads," he said.
With Rooney spending more time at home, he said the series captures both the difficult and lighter sides of family life.
"I think that’s important that people see that. There’s moments where I’m vulnerable, there’s times where we’re arguing, not getting on, moments with the kids where we’re giving the kids advice.
"So we’re exposing ourselves to how we parent and how we are as a married couple.
"But if we didn’t do it as us, as natural and just normal, then it wouldn’t work. People are not stupid, they see through that."
Coleen said the couple had been approached about making a reality series for years, but had previously felt the timing was not right.
"For years they’ve asked us to do reality TV, and it’s just never been the right moment," she said.
Having both previously made separate documentaries gave them a taste of having cameras at home, while their children being older also played a part in their decision.
"It just felt like the right moment for us as a family," she said.
Asked whether they hoped the series might change any misconceptions about them, Coleen said that had not been their motivation.
"I don’t think we’ve done it for the purpose of proving a point," she said.
"We’ve done it because we wanted to do it ourselves, and I think people can take away whatever they want from it.
"But obviously people will see us in a different light."
She said viewers may particularly see a side of Rooney they have not previously known.
"I don’t think people actually know Wayne’s personality," she said. "I think they start to get a taste of it on the punditry."
The couple also made clear from the outset that their sons would not be pressured into taking part in filming.
"We said to the crew, we’re not going to force them to do anything they don’t want to," Coleen said.
"There are days where the kids are like, ‘I’m not doing that. I’m not being part of it today.’"
She said allowing those moments to unfold naturally helped keep the series authentic.
"Kids tell the truth at the end of the day, so they’re as real as can be."
Reflecting on making the programme together, she added: "We’ve always been separate, so to have each other to bounce off, it’s nice."
Rooney said: "We’ve been together so long, we love each other, and we’ve got a good family, and we’re still learning as well."
The Real Rooneys is streaming on Disney+.
2FM's Weekend Drive with Emma and Graham airs on 2FM every Saturday and Sunday from 3.00pm to 6.00pm.
