The New Plymouth Argyle boss, 38, appointed by the Sky Bet Championship club in May, also joked he didn’t “want to become the next Gary Neville”.
Rooney had a brief stint at Birmingham last season, lasting just three months, with the former Manchester United and England striker also working in TV, appearing on the BBC during its Euro 2024 coverage.
Several of Rooney’s former colleagues, including Neville, 49, have abandoned managerial ambitions for punditry careers.
But Rooney is adamant that coaching is his true passion as he takes charge of a side that narrowly avoided relegation last season.
He told reporters about his new role: “I don’t want to become the next Gary Neville. I have a desire, a passion with football and a love for football, and I’ve always had that.
“The last few months have been very strange for me. Since January, it’s been a real strange time being at home. I’ve done bits of TV work, but my real desire is to get back into management.”
Rooney was dismissed by Birmingham in January after 83 days, during which he managed nine defeats in 15 games.
Birmingham, sixth in the Championship when Rooney was appointed, ended the season relegated.
Rooney, who has also managed Derby and DC United, added he is determined to learn from the bruising experience.
He added: “You always have to prove yourself. I think that’s what I had for 20 years as a player and, as a coach, wherever you are, whatever job you’re in, you have to prove yourself. That’s normal, that’s a pressure which comes with the job.
“And of course, when you go into jobs, you leave yourself open. If you don’t get results, then obviously there’s consequences to that, which was the case at Birmingham.
“But now I’m here, I’m ready. I’m excited. I took a lot of time to reflect on what happened at Birmingham.
“Sometimes things happen for a reason. The good thing which came out of it means that I’m here now, and I’m here to go and be successful. I really believe in that.
“I’m a confident person and I back myself to do that. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”
Rooney succeeds Ian Foster, 47, in his new job – who was sacked in April with the Pilgrims in relegation danger.
Argyle survived on the final day of the season, with Birmingham dropping to the third tier.
Rooney hopes to lead the club to the top flight, saying it has been a long-term ambition.
He went on: “Of course I’m not going to come out and say we’re looking to get Premier League in a year’s time.
“We think we need to be realistic and what we’re trying to do is build on where the club has been over the last five years, which has been rising and getting better over time.
“I think we need to gradually keep moving forward and keep trying to improve, and certainly improve on last season.
“Hopefully at the end of a time frame, which we have in place, we can get closer to that Premier League.”
