Former Manchester United player, Wayne Rooney has been appointed as the permanent manager of English Football Championship club, Derby County on a two-and-half-year deal which will run until the summer of 2023.
Wayne Rooney had previously joined the Championship side, Derby County as a player-manager in January, 2020 from MLS club side, D. C. United despite having two years left on his contract.
Derby ended the 2019 – 2020 season in 10th position in the English Championship, but on starting the 2020 – 2021 season, the club would not win their first three matches until the fourth one, where a Wayne Rooney free-kick inspired their first win that would take the club out of the bottom three.
The season would not pan out good for the Championship side with the club finding it difficult to grind out results.
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The club would eventually part ways with the manager Philip Cocu on mutual terms, towards the end of November, 2020. With Rooney taking on the managerial position on an interim basis, taking on nine matches in total.
The run would see Derby County record a return of three victories and four draws between the end of November and early January.
With the board having chosen Wayne Rooney, Derby County’s Chief Executive Officer Stephen Pearce said: “We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as our new manager.
“Our recent upturn in results under Wayne was married together with some positive performances, notably the 2-0 home win over Swansea City and the 4-0 victory at Birmingham City.
“During that nine-game run we also dramatically improved their defensive record and registered five clean sheets in the process, while in the attacking third we became more effective and ruthless too.
“Those foundations have provided a platform for the club to build on in the second half of the season under Wayne’s guidance.”
On receiving the appointment, the former Manchester United player has now decided to call it time on his playing career, in order to enable him focus solely on his managerial job.
Rooney who was delighted had a lot to say in his interview on taking the job as Derby County’s manager,
When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby County Football Club. The Stadium, Training Ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players coming through and of course the fan base that has remained loyal and supportive.
“Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me.
“To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour and I can promise everyone involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club.”
Rooney’s first match as the permanent manager of the club would be tomorrow against Rotherham.
