Footballer Wayne Rooney retires as player, becomes full-time Derby manager

Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney on Friday, retired as a player to take up the job of managing Championship side Derby on a full-time basis, reported AFP.

The news was confirmed by Derby, who said Rooney agreed a permanent deal until 2023, having succeeded Phillip Cocu on an interim basis in November.

According to Derby’s statement, in accepting the manager’s role, Rooney had “elected to call time on his illustrious playing career to fully focus on his job.”

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In the nine matches as interim boss, he won three and drew four.

Derby County 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.”

According to Rooney, he was “blown away” by Derby’s potential when he arrived at the club in 2019 after a spell playing for the DC United in the United States.

He said, “To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour.”

He added, “And I can promise everyone in 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.”