Wayne Rooney RESIGNS as Derby County manager after 18 months in charge – as he calls for ‘someone with fresh energy’ to takeover cash-strapped League One club who remain in administration
- Wayne Rooney has left his position as the manager of League One side Derby
- Rooney says club tried ‘tremendously hard’ to try and persuade him to stay
- Derby’s long-term future remains uncertain amid their financial struggles
- Rooney received much praise last season despite Derby suffering relegation
- Derby say they are ‘disappointed’ but understand Rooney’s reasons for leaving
Wayne Rooney has quit crisis-torn Derby even though the club appear finally on the brink of exiting administration.
England’s record goalscorer departed just three days before the Rams were due to report for pre-season training, with local property group Clowes Developments submitting a bid to buy the club on Friday night, after buying Pride Park from former owner Mel Morris. Rooney had one year left of a lucrative contract.
As reported by Sportsmail on June 13, the future of Rooney – who had been in permanent charge since January 2021 – was placed in huge doubt when US businessman Chris Kirchner failed to complete his proposed takeover of Derby.
Wayne Rooney has stepped down from his position as the manager of Derby County
Derby were relegated from the Championship last season amid their financial struggles
Veteran defender Curtis Davies called it ‘Another bombshell in the life of Derby County’ and backed Rooney’s assistant, Liam Rosenior, to step up.
Rooney informed administrators Quantuma last night and would not be swayed from his decision, even though he said they tried ‘tremendously hard’ to dissuade him.
He added: ‘My time at the club has been a rollercoaster of emotions, both highs and lows, but I have to say that I have enjoyed the challenge.
There remains uncertainty over Derby’s long-term future with the club still in administration
“Personally, I feel the club now needs to be led by someone with fresh energy and not affected by the events that have happened over the last eighteen months. I will remember my time at Derby with great pride and affection and would like to thank all my staff, players and of course the fans for their incredible support. I will never forget you and hope to see you all again in the near future and in happier times.
‘Finally, I am aware that the club still have interested parties who wish to take over the running of the club. To them I say this, Derby County is a great club with a great history and great fans. I wish you all the best and much success for the future.’
Along with Clowes, a group led by former Rams chairman Andy Appleby has also submitted an offer for the club, while former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has been interested throughout. But Clowes now appear to be in pole position.
One of the new owners’ first jobs will be to appoint a manager. Rosenior will lead training on Monday, with only five first-team players currently under contract. Along with his impressive coaching skills and smart tactical brain, Rosenior may be viewed by new owners as a sensible option given his knowledge of the club and players at all levels.
Having previously been a player at the club, Rooney took charge of Derby in November 2020 before getting the job permanently in January 2021
Rooney kept Derby in the Championship in his first campaign and made a remarkable fist of it last term, keeping the squad united and the team performing despite deductions totalling 21 points – 12 for entering administration and nine for historical financial breaches – and various setbacks off the field. Despite relegation, his reputation as a manager was enhanced.
When Kirchner was named preferred bidder in April, the future of Rooney – who had endorsed the American – looked secure. But when Kirchner disappeared from the scene, it is thought Rooney was hugely disappointed, and it then appeared a matter of time before he would leave.
With new owners on the horizon, Rooney is believed to have felt able to take this step. Had he stayed, his salary would have been comfortably the highest in League One.
Mike Ashley (L) has been tipped for a takeover of Derby but local businessman David Clowes has now announced his intention to purchase the club
Davies added: ‘The only person I can see to take charge is Liam Rosenior. He is part of the fabric of what we did last year. He would be the man I would put forward.
‘Now it’s time for everyone involved with derby to stick together and pull together in the right direction.’
A statement from Quantuma read: ‘The joint administrators are very disappointed that Wayne has taken the difficult decision to leave the club and we have spent some time today trying to persuade him to stay but understand his reasons for wanting to go.’
A Clowes representative added: ‘We thank Wayne Rooney for the time he served Derby County.’
Chris Kirchner emerged as a preferred bidder for Derby but was unable to confirm funds
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