Seasiders claim no offer was made to Rosenior

BLACKPOOL have denied that Derby County’s assistant manager Liam Rosenior was offered the vacant manager’s job.

Reports on Thursday night suggested that Wayne Rooney’s right-hand man had the chance to succeed Neil Critchley as boss, with Derby set to bank £300,000 in compensation should he move.

But it is claimed that he rejected the chance to take the job as it currently stands following talks over budgets and issues with the training ground.

According to the Blackpool Gazette, sources close to the club have stressed that was not the case and the Seasiders have appointed former Lincoln City manager Michael Appleton.

Rosenior had been interviewed for the role and his stock has risen considerably for the work he has carried out alongside Rooney, with the pair having formed a close relationship during their time at Pride Park.

The pair did a remarkable job in arduous circumstances last season which would have seen the club remain in the Championship had they not suffered two deductions totalling 21 points.

The situation has not been helped by Derby’s problems regarding a takeover, with the club in a race to find a new buyer after American businessman Chris Kirchner withdrew his offer on Monday.

Rooney has been unable to make any new signings because the club is still in administration, with Derby set to return to pre-season training on June 27.

Seven players are currently contracted to the club for next season, with the Rams recently triggering options in Lee Buchanan and Nathan Byrne’s contracts that will keep them at Pride Park Stadium until next summer.