Wayne Rooney has retired from professional football to concentrate on his new job as full-time Derby County manager.
The former Manchester United and England striker had held the post as a player-manager on an interim basis since the end of November. The last game he played was a 3-0 loss to Middlesborough.
Captain. Leader. The greatest.@WayneRooney: The Manager 🐏
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 15, 2021
Rooney retires as all time leading goal scorer for Manchester United and England. He overtook Sir Bobby Charlton to take both honours scoring 53 times for his country and 253 times for Manchester United.
Rooney started his career at Everton, before moving to Old Trafford where he won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and three League Cups.
At Derby, Rooney was part of a four-man coaching team placed in charge of the team following the departure of manager Phillip Cocu.
That lasted for two matches before he was placed in sole charge of the team. Rooney has signed a two-and-a half-year deal.
The Rams currently sit in the relegation zone of the Championship, having taken just 19 points from their opening 22 games, just four points above basement side Wycombe.
Wayne Rooney: "blown away by the potential"
Rooney has been in interim control for nine games, having won three, drawn four and lost two in that time.
One of those games was an embarrassing FA Cup knockout at the weekend by one the lowest ranked teams in the competition, National League North side Chorley.
Rooney said of the announcement :“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.”
