[ad_1]
The former Manchester United striker will start a new chapter in his career on Saturday against Wycombe
Former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney will be solely responsible for Derby County this weekend as he takes his first steps in management.
Rooney, a Derby player-manager, has shared responsibility for the first team since Phillip Cocu was sacked earlier this month.
The veteran striker was joined by Liam Rosenior, Shay Given and Justin Walker in the manager, but the Rams lost to both Bristol City and Middlesbrough without scoring.
Hindered by a point deduction, the Derby is last in the league standings, six points down from safety and winless in nine.
Goal 50 revealed: the best 50 players in the world
With an impending takeover, the club made a change by promoting Rooney in a decision that the new interim manager hopes will provide “clarity”.
Rooney, who will not play at home to Wycombe on Saturday, revealed that technical director and former England boss Steve McClaren – who returned to Derby this week – was “part of that conversation”.
“For the previous two games, the four of us did it together, preparing the team and choosing the team together,” said Rooney.
“We felt we needed only one voice, one person to do it and make the decisions about the team, the starting team and of course the substitutes that come into play.
“We felt we were the right man for it. That’s where we are.
“Obviously it’s exciting for me to do it. Management is something I’ve always said I want to get into. It’s an opportunity for me to try and choose the right team to get a positive result.”
Despite his eagerness to kickstart his coaching career, Rooney refused to look beyond Saturday’s game.
“Tomorrow is so important to us that we need to focus on tomorrow,” he said. “We cannot yet focus on what happens in the long term.
“There will be conversations, of course, but we have to focus on tomorrow and we can’t look too far ahead. It wouldn’t be fair for players to look at what’s going to happen in the coming weeks.
“We have to focus exclusively on tomorrow’s match and then the new owners will arrive, I’m sure, in the next few days. Once completed, there will be conversations and we will see where it ends.
“I wouldn’t sit here and say I’m auditioning for the job. This football team deserves better. It deserves better than someone who says they audition.”
Rooney believes he can’t juggle the new role and the game, at least for now.
“Obviously I played the last game, but if I am making decisions about who plays and doesn’t play and the preparation of the team, I could not give all my attention and be part of the game,” he said.
“Tomorrow I will not be involved in the match. I will focus on making sure that the team plays well.”
Asked if he would miss the opportunity to use a player of his talent on the pitch, Rooney replied: “Sure, but as I said before, this is what I want to do, this is what I see myself doing.
“As much as you want to keep playing for as long as possible, there comes a point where you have to make decisions. For tomorrow, I think it’s the right decision.”
.
[ad_2]
Source link
