FA to fast-track coaching badges in US

Football Association representatives will travel to the United States to help Wayne Rooney fast-track his coaching qualifications after his signing by Derby County.

England’s record goalscorer insists playing is his priority after signing an initial 18-month contract with the Championship club, which will begin in January, but plans to go into coaching and then management. He says he has already started his coaching badges and will continue working for those qualifications – starting next week.

“I started doing my coaching badges a few years ago now, through my children I couldn’t always find time to fit them in,” Rooney explained. “The FA are flying out next Monday to continue them, and when I’m back in England, I’ll have more time to fulfil the requirements.

“That will come and your badges are obviously important, every coach needs to go through that process. It’s something I’m looking forward to continue doing.

“Even during the coaching badges, you can learn new things and you can work on ideas without the fear of losing a game while you’re doing it.”

When asked if he would be a qualified coach by January, he added: “I will have them, yes.”

Rooney said the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, his former Manchester United manager, will ring in his ears when he begins coaching.

“I always remember Alex Ferguson saying, ‘The hardest thing to do in life is to work hard’. That’s true, no matter what you do, if you’re working in an office, in a day job, the most difficult thing to do is to stay motivated and work hard. If you can do that it’s a great quality to have. The important thing is to remember what not to do as a coach.”

When asked if he still had the fire to continue playing, even in the second tier, he replied: “Of course, I love football, it’s what I’ve done my whole life. If that wasn’t there I wouldn’t be playing still today. So long as my body is ready and able, I’ll continue. That comes from where you grow up and how you’re brought up. I was always brought up to work hard. That will always be with me.”