Boss Rooney’s focus will remain the same
THE latest takeover news surrounding Derby County dominated yesterday’s pre-match press conference.
The Rams have a Championship clash away to Stoke City tomorrow but it was the news that the proposed purchase of the club by Bin Zayed International is off, four months after it was announced a deal had been agreed in principle, that was the big talking point.
Here is what manager Wayne Rooney had to say.
Q) It looks like the BZI takeover is off. How much have you been kept in touch about what has been going on?
WR: Yes, very much so. Obviously, it is important for me to know these things but, in terms of questions about the takeover, they are questions you will have to ask (owner and chairman) Mel Morris directly.
I am here to speak about the game, we have a very important game against Stoke on Saturday and I would like to focus on that.
Q) Has the takeover felt like a distraction in the background?
WR: No. It has been there, of course, we know that, the players know that but we have to focus on playing the games and trying to get the best results.
For the players, that’s all they can do. For me, it is a little bit different because I have to know what is going on as well, but for the players it’s important they focus on the football and they have done that excellently.
Q) Will the takeover news change the way you go about your business this summer when it comes to transfers and building the squad?
WR: Anything on the takeover, you can speak to Mel, or Mel will speak on that when he feels the time is right.
In terms of my plans for the summer, it doesn’t change. I am making different sets of plans, I have to be adaptable, I know that, so my plans will carry on with how I want to move forward in the summer.
Q) In January, you were asked if the takeover would affect your future as Derby County manager and you said ‘no, I am here for the long term’. Has that changed?
WR: I agreed to the job because I felt this was a good team and this club is a massive football club and it is a proud moment for me to manthe age this club.
I am here for the long term, I am not here to mess around or because an ownership deal goes through or doesn’t go through. I am here to help this club move forward and, hopefully, progress.
In my time here I hope we can get this club into the Premier League. It is a job I take very seriously, I am grateful to Derby for putting their trust in me. I know it is my first manager job and I am very confident my way of managing will help this club.
I am here to manage the club for the long term, it wasn’t a shortterm fix, it wasn’t dependent on a takeover, I signed a two and a half year deal and that is what I am looking forward to doing.
Q) Have you been assured that the financial future of the club is safe because when the takeover was happening that’s when we thought the cash injection was going to come?
WR: I am aware exactly what the situation is with the club, but these questions I am sure at the right time Mr Morris will keep you fully informed on.