Relegation clears way for Derby to be reborn
AS Wayne Rooney’s Derby stared into the abyss of relegation to the third tier of English football, confirmation of it brought one piece of good news.
The signature of prospective new US owner Chris Kirchner is desperately needed to throw them a lifeline. The Rams can now complete a crucial stage.
Kirchner, who can take the EFL’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test, said: “They have had my financial info for some time, but the last bit for official approval was a two-year business plan for the club. Now that we know the division, payout schedule etc, my team can finally complete it.”
It’s not all milk and honey yet, not least with vultures circling looking for easy pickings on their best players. Manager Rooney will hope to hang on to youngsters such as Jason Knight and Max Bird.
Kirchner moved quickly after relegation was confirmed on Easter Monday to say what Rooney had to contend with was an “impossible” task.
He said no blame should be laid at the door of the manager, coaches or players. Kirchner’s financial people are scrutinising the books in the hope that they will not find any more problems.
The struggles of clubs such as Sunderland, Portsmouth, Bolton and Ipswich underline that getting back out of the third tier is not a cakewalk.
Rooney has said he probably needs to be looking at getting his ravaged squad back up to around 40 players to have any platform to build on. If bigger clubs come calling, the only consolation is they will get money to ease the pain.
Kirchner not completing is unthinkable. Rooney would almost certainly say goodbye too.
For that reason alone, there are a lot of crossed fingers in Derby.