Rooney Ends Playing Career to Become Derby County Manager

By Adedapo Adesanya

Former Manchester United Football Club legend, Wayne Rooney, has retired from playing football to become the full-time manager of Derby County FC.

The Championship club confirmed the appointment of the former Everton FC and England international in a statement issued on Friday.

Derby confirmed the 35-year-old former United and England forward has agreed to a permanent deal until 2023, having succeeded Phillip Cocu on an interim basis last November.

“We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as our new manager,” Derby County’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Stephen Pearce said in a statement on the club’s website.

“Our recent upturn in results under Wayne was married together with some positive performances, notably the 2-0 home win over Swansea City and the 4-0 victory at Birmingham City.

“During that nine-game run we also dramatically improved their defensive record and registered five clean sheets in the process, while in the attacking third we became more effective and ruthless too.

“Those foundations have provided a platform for the club to build on in the second half of the season under Wayne’s guidance.”

The club statement confirmed that in accepting the manager’s role, Rooney had “elected to call time on his illustrious playing career to fully focus on his job”.

The former United player himself admitted that he was blown away by the potential in the Derby County side.

“When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby County Football Club,” he added. “The Stadium, Training Ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players coming through and of course the fan base that has remained loyal and supportive.”

He was supported by fellow coaches Liam Rosenior, Shay Given and Justin Walker, who will retain their positions on Rooney’s staff moving forward.

Rosenior takes up the role of assistant manager, while Given will move to the position of the first-team coach. Walker will remain as a first-team development coach, while Academy goalkeeping coach Jason Pearcey has been appointed as the club’s first-team goalkeeping coach.

Steve McClaren will continue to assume the duties of technical director and advisor to the board of directors.

Rooney oversaw nine matches in total, recording a return of three victories and four draws along the way, between the end of November and early January.