Wayne Rooney has retired from football after being appointed permanent manager of Derby County on a two and a half year contract.
Rooney, the former England and Manchester United forward, has been in charge of the EFL Championship club since Phillip Cocu’s departure in November.
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“When I first got back to the UK I was completely overwhelmed by the potential of Derby County Football Club,” Rooney said in a statement. “The stadium, the training ground, the quality of the staff playing and the young players coming through and of course the fan base that has remained loyal and supportive.
Despite other offers, I instinctively knew Derby County was the place for me. Getting the chance to follow Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honor and I can promise everyone involved in the club. all of our fans, my staff and I will do everything we can to achieve the potential that I have witnessed in this historic football club over the past 12 months. “
Chief executive Stephen Pearce added, “We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as our new manager.
“Our recent rebound in results under Wayne has been accompanied by a number of positive performances, most notably the 2-0 home win over Swansea City and the 4-0 win at Birmingham City.
“During that nine-game run, we also drastically improved their defensive record, registering five clean sheets in the process, while also becoming more effective and ruthless in the offensive third.
“Those foundations have provided the club with a platform to build on in the second half of the season under Wayne’s leadership.”
Since temporarily taking charge, Rooney, who has been a player coach since arriving in January 2020, has trained alongside coaches Shay Given, Liam Rosenior and Justin Walker.
Rooney, who played for DC United in MLS between 2018 and 2020, had said in November that he would retire if he got the Derby job on a full-time basis.
The 35-year-old has overseen a resurgence in form, losing just once in eight games. However, they have lost three of their past four games, including a FA Cup third-round exit against non-league Chorley that was overshadowed by a coronavirus outbreak.
Rooney started his career with Everton as a boy and became the then youngest goalscorer in the Premier League at the age of 16 with a stunning late winner against Arsenal in October 2002.
A captain.
A goalscorer.
A legend.And now, 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿.
Happy retirement, @Wayne Rooney – thanks for the memories ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZGxe1xr3tR
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 15, 2021
In 2004 he joined United for £ 27 million to become the most expensive teenager in the world. He stayed with the club for 13 years, during which time he won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, the League Cup four times, the Europa League, Champions League and FIFA World Club Cup.
In 2017, he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with his 250th in a 1-1 draw with Stoke, leaving for Everton at the end of the season with a total of 253.
He left Goodison Park after 18 months to join DC United, where he spent two seasons before moving to Derby in 2019.
Rooney retired from England in 2018 as the country’s record scorer with 53 in 120 appearances. He played in three World Cups.