Everton sacked their manager Rafael Benítez after yet another disappointing result in a 2-1 loss to Norwich City. The toffees currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, having picked up just 19 points from 19 league games so far. Everton are now looking for a new head coach and various different managers are being linked with the job. Derby County manager Wayne Rooney is being linked with an emotional return to his former side Everton.
The Manchester United legend initially made his breakthrough at Everton before his move to Manchester. Rooney during his two stints at the club made a total of 117 appearances in all competitions. In this time he recorded 28 goals and 4 assists. (stats via Transfermarkt)
But Wayne Rooney has impressed everyone with his work since taking over at Derby County. The England legend took over as the player-manager 12 months ago. He managed to save Derby from the drop on the final last of last season. Since then the club went into administration in September.
The club failed to attack any new buyers as the club was stuck with around 68 million of debts. With the club in such a bad situation, Rooney could have easily walked away from the club but he decided to stay put. Talking about the situation at the club, he said:
“I’m a fighter. I grew up on a council estate in Liverpool. I don’t walk away from challenges easily,”
Wayne Rooney’s new approach at Derby County amid Everton rumors
To add to the club’s misery, Derby were handed a 21 points deduction due to their financial issues and are under a transfer embargo. But Rooney decided to trust the youth players at the club and handed them game time in hope of turning the situation around.
Derby are currently 2nd bottom in the Championship table even after the 21 points deduction. Derby would be in a comfortable 11th place without the points deduction. The England legend is doing a fantastic job at the Championship club and has handed them a chance to stay up this term despite the current situation.
Rio Ferdinand’s verdict on his former teammate’s heroics
Former teammate of Rooney, Rio Ferdinand was high on praise for him. Talking about him on his Vibe with Five youtube channel, Rio said:
“I saw a different Wayne Rooney to the one I grew up with and saw grow up at Man United.
“It was a real positive experience. Particularly it was the confidence and I didn’t expect it from such a young coach.
“It was a real positive experience. Was the confidence and I didn’t expect it from such a young coach.“‘I thought there’d be a lot of “ermmmm” — you see the interviews, no disrespect. But he was just calm.”
“I was so impressed. The results he is getting off the back of it, I’m not surprised,”
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