IN NO RUSH TO BOSS IT

Carsley: Roo will want time to learn his trade as a coach

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.

Rooney’s long-term plan involves a shift into management.

But former Everton colleague Lee Carsley says that he thinks England’s greatest goalscorer will want to immerse himself fully in coaching before he takes any steps to the hot-seat himself.

And he says that those thinking

Rooney is a threat to Cocu should think again.

He said: “As a player, Wayne has had every experience under the sun. He knows what it is like for the youngsters coming through, he knows 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.

Experiences

“If he can transfer those experiences 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 to coaching successfully.

“If he can keep that passion, there’s no reason why he cannot make the transition. Because for all the plaudits Wayne has deservedly received for the way he has harnessed his talent, the main thing is that he loves football.

“He has always been the one who has shown a desire and a willingness to go the extra mile.

“That has never left him. I watched him playing for DC United and I think it was in the last minute. He produced a slide tackle on the halfway line, won back the ball and then supplied a brilliant pass for one of his team-mates to score.

“When you have won what he has and played at the level he has, to be able to do that in the last minute of the game shows a hunger and desire that really marked Wayne down as the elite player that he is.”

But Carsley says the perception that Rooney will be looking to step up immediately is flawed.

He added: “Wayne’s an elite footballer – but a novice coach.

Plenty

“There are plenty of aspects to the job he might not have come across before... setting up training sessions, giving team-talks and dealing with other staff.

“When I thought about going into coaching, I did voluntary work with a college during my days off.

“That gave me an insight into what it was all about. I don’t know if Wayne has been through his badges, it took me a good few years. He has been an outstanding player but standing in front of a group of footballers, trying to get your point across to them, is totally different to playing.”