YES, IT COULD BE

DERBY COUNTY manager Phillip Cocu insists he has “no doubt” Wayne Rooney is a future manager in the making.

The Manchester United and England record goalscorer made his debut for the Rams on Thursday captaining them to a 2-1 win over Barnsley in the Championship.

He is set to be involved again in County’s squad when they visit Premier League Crystal Palace in the FA Cup today.

Rooney, 34, has joined on an 18-month player-coach contract from MLS side DC United and Cocu says Rooney is already working closely with Derby’s first-team coaching staff.

The Dutchman explained: “When we were on the grass on the training pitch he is a player and he trains.

“He had to focus on getting fit to play this game.

“When you play a game eight against eight he will talk with the individual players and the young guys.

“That is natural and something he always does.

“But when we are preparing or doing analysis he was part of it and in the office of the coaches. The work he does as a coach is more in the analysis and clips we plan.

“He is very interested in it, not only now but he did it also at United and DC.

“He is very interested in the tactics and how we prepare training and the games – no doubt he will be a manager in the future.” Rams owner Mel

Morris is thrilled with the acquisition after Cocu’s predecessor Frank Lampard first tried to get Rooney a year ago.

Morris (right) is paying Rooney £100,000 a week because he believes the star can help their homegrown academy graduates develop into first-team stars worth millions.

He hopes Rooney can continue to inspire their starlets like Lampard and former England left-back Ashley Cole did last term in training, pep-talks and matches.

Derby’s side on Thursday included homegrown starters Max Lowe, 22, Max Bird, 19, and Jason Knight, 18, while Morgan Whittaker, 18, came off the bench. They all benefited from Rooney talking them through the game from his central midfield role after Cocu praised the star’s vision and tactical knowledge.

Former Barcelona and PSV midfielder Cocu, 49, added: “A lot of people see him as a goal-scorer but his vision is excellent.

“Even when I played,

I liked the way he is not focused only on himself but also other players in a good position in front of the goal. He feels exactly where he should be in the build-up or if he can press when the opposition has the ball.

“When you have the quality and experience he has you don’t need to say much to him.

“I just said be careful in your first game, don’t overdo it because you are so eager.”

WAYNE ROONEY will be a major asset because Derby are getting the “full package”, according to former Rams midfielder John Harkes.

Harkes’ son, Ian, played alongside England’s record goalscorer at DC United, where the former US captain kept a close eye on Rooney in his role as a TV pundit.

Harkes said: “Observing him at DC United, it was two-fold really. One, he came in first and foremost as a player who still wanted to win. You could see his competitive edge and he hasn’t lost any of that at all.

“Secondly, he also brings a coaching aspect as well.

“He helped coach some of the players at DC United. So you’re getting the full package of Wayne Rooney at this point.”

WAY TO GO: Cocu with Rooney after Barnsley game WAYNE ROONEY will make a first-class coach – just don’t expect him to be fast-tracked into Phillip Cocu’s job. Derby County’s new signing this week took up his dual role with the Rams, having a hand in both goals during the narrow 2-1 victory over Barnsley. But his former Everton colleague Lee Carsley (right, with Roo) said: “Wayne has had every experience under the sun. He knows what it is like for youngsters coming through, what it is like to play under the burden of pressure. “He knows what it’s like to handle big transfer fees and produce for club and country. If he can transfer those into his coaching and have the same desire and enthusiasm he did as a player, then he’s got a great chance of making the switch successfully.” Carsley added: “Wayne’s an elite footballer – but a novice coach. There are plenty of aspects to the job he might not have come across before – such as setting up training sessions, giving team-talks, dealing with other staff members, such as the club’s analysts – the list goes on. “He has been an outstanding player, of course, but standing in front of a group of footballers, trying to get your point across, is totally different.”