Wayne Rooney retires, appointed Derby County manager on permanent basis

Rooney had joined Derby in January 2020 as a player-coach after a stint with DC United in MLS. He took over as a player-manager in November after Phillip Cocu was sacked by the club.

Liam Rosenior has been appointed as assistant manager, with former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given the club’s first-team coach. Steve McClaren, one of Rooney’s former England manager, is the club’s technical director.

Derby are owned by Sheikh Kaled, a cousin of Manchester City’s owner Sheikh Mansour. The club are undergoing a difficult period with some players and staff not yet paid for the month of December. The club are currently in 19th position in the Championship, at risk of relegation to League One if their form does not improve..

“When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby,” 35-year-old Rooney said.

“The stadium, training ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players coming through and, of course, the fanbase that has remained loyal and supportive. Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me.

“To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour and I can promise everyone in involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club. Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me.”

Rooney had played for Everton twice and Manchester United, winning every trophy in England as well as the Champions League, before moving to DC United.