Biggest game of my life
ROONEY BIDS TO BEAT DROP WITH DERBY:
WAYNE ROONEY describes Derby’s relegation showdown today as the biggest game of his entire career.
Manchester United and England’s all-time record scorer enjoyed a trophyladen playing career. But Rooney has endured a baptism of fire in management at Derby as they battle to beat the drop.
Either Derby, in 21st place, or visitors Sheffield Wednesday, in 23rd, will go down after today’s decider.
The Rams are on the back of six successive defeats. And 35-year-old rookie boss Rooney, right, who won the Champions League once and Premier League five times at United, said: “It is the biggest game. It is the biggest game in terms of what is at stake for this football club.
“It is a game that is important to so many people in this city, everybody connected to Derby – and it is a huge game for myself. Ourselves and Sheffield Wednesday are fighting to stay in this division.”
Derby will go down on goal difference should they draw and 22nd-placed Rotherham win at Cardiff. But Rooney insists he wants to stay on at Pride Park, even in the worst-case scenario.
He insisted: “Regardless of where we are at, my future is with Derby County – 100 percent.
“Derby County have given me this opportunity to become a manager and I am committed, whatever the outcome on Saturday, to progressing this football club. I am never one to walk away from a challenge.
“I want to push this club forward. I’m not crazy, I know there is a possibility of relegation. If that happens we have to deal with it but it is not something I am thinking about at the minute. My plan is to get us closer to getting in the Premier League.”
Darren Moore plans to be at the game today to boost the Owls’ survival bid.
Moore has missed Wednesday’s past four games after his Covid turned into pneumonia and he climbed out of his sickbed to visit the players this week at training.
The Owls boss hopes to be well enough to sit in the directors’ box for his side’s must-win clash, with his No.2 Jamie Smith in taking charge.
“He’s much better, he’s improving day by day, but he’s still got a long way to go to be fully recovered,” said Smith.
“He’s been in and around the training ground so physically he’s been back, which is good. He just talked to the players about belief, being positive and to look forward to the game.”