Wayne Rooney ends playing career to become Derby County manager

Ollie Irish

15th, January 2021

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Derby County have confirmed the appointment of Wayne Rooney as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

England’s record goalscorer, who had been in interim-charge since Dutchman Phillip Cocu was sacked in mid-November, has now also officially retired as a player.

Rooney said:

When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby County Football Club. 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.

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 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.

I’m a bit uneasy seeing Frank Lampard and Cocu mentioned in the same breath as Jim Smith, let alone Brian Clough, but I’ll let it slide.

So ends one of the great careers in modern English football. It’s always easy to forget how good prime Rooney was, so here’s a reminder of some of his best strikes for Man Utd:

Posted in Derby County

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  1. Jake says:

    Retired a few years back when he came over here to play for DC. Full credit, he had some great moments in MLS. A tremendous career, always seemed a bit dense, but management will either confirm that or show us he secretly knew what was going on the whole damn time.

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