Rooney’s Derby delight
WAYNE Rooney, fresh from signing a deal to become a player-coach at English Championship side Derby County from next January, said he had always hoped to become a manager once his playing days were over.
But the former England captain, who is currently with MLS side DC United, is determined to push his body to the limit to meet the demands of playing in England’s second tier.
Derby said the 33-yearold had signed an initial 18month contract with the option of another year and would also work as a coach with the first team and academy as he chases his dream of becoming a manager.
Asked at a news conference why he accepted the challenge, ex-Manchester United and Everton striker Rooney said: “That’s football, it’s what I’ve done all my life and what I love. Until my body says I can’t do it anymore, I’ll keep doing it.
“We’ll have to wait and see [how I manage my body]. I’m a player who knows my body. I’m experienced enough to know that if I can’t play in a game to sit out that game. But I feel good, I’ve played the whole season in the States.”
Rooney, an admirer of Dutchman Louis van Gaal’s coaching methods as manager at Old Trafford, said he could not resist the opportunity to have a similar learning experience under Derby boss Phillip Cocu, also from the Netherlands.
“The opportunity to come back to England and play but also to take up a coaching role and work under Phillip was too great for me to turn down,” Rooney said. “There were other clubs making offers and inquiring about me but I made the decision to come here and that was it, I wasn’t going to go back on my decision.”
Rooney, record scorer for his country and Manchester United, is the latest member of the so-called “Golden Generation” of England players to take their first steps towards management.
He will be following in the footsteps of Derby’s former boss Frank Lampard and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
Lampard has since taken over at his old club Chelsea, having guided Derby to the playoff final last season.
Rooney, who had two years left on his contract at DC United, said he was fully focused on giving his all for the club in the remainder of the season and hoped to deliver an MLS Cup.
Derby owner Mel Morris said Rooney — who will wear the No.32 shirt — had already created “widespread and significant” commercial opportunities for the Midlands club.