Wayne Rooney gives up the game to take the lead in Derby County

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Wayne Rooney 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 striker, had been in the interim position of the EFL Championship club since Phillip Cocu left in November.

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“When I first returned to the UK, I was completely amazed at the potential of the Derby County Football Club,” Rooney said in a statement. “The stadium, the training ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players who enter and, of course, the fan base that remained loyal and supportive.

“Despite other offers, I knew instinctively that Derby County was the place for me. To be given the opportunity to follow Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honor and I can promise everyone involved in club and all our fans, me and my staff will leave no stone unturned in realizing the potential we have witnessed in the last 12 months of this historic football club. “

Executive Director Stephen Pearce added: “We are pleased to confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as our new manager.

“Our recent rise in results under Wayne has been marred, along with some positive performances, especially the 2-0 home win over Swansea and the 4-0 victory at Birmingham City.

“During that round of nine games, we dramatically improved their defensive record and recorded five clean sheets in the process, while in the third striker we became even more efficient and ruthless.

“These foundations provided a platform for the club to grow in the second half of the season under Wayne.”

Since taking over, Rooney, who has been a player coach since arriving in January 2020, has been training with 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 from professional football if he was offered a full-time Derby job.

The 35-year-old watched an increase in form that saw him lose once in eight matches. However, they have lost three of their last four matches, including an exit from the third round of the FA Cup against the out-of-league Chorley, which has been overshadowed by a coronavirus outbreak.

Rooney began his childhood career at Everton and became the youngest Premier League striker at the age of 16, with a stunning late win against Arsenal in October 2002.

In 2004, he joined United for £ 27 million to become the world’s most expensive teenager. He stayed at the club for 13 years, during which time he won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup, four-time League Cup, Europa League, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.

In 2017, he became the club’s all-time top scorer, with his 250th in a 1-1 draw with Stoke and left at the end of the campaign with a total of 253 to join Everton.

He left for Goodison Park after 18 months to join DC United, where he stayed for two seasons before moving to the Derby in 2019.

Rooney retired from international football with England in 2018 as the country’s record top scorer, with 53 out of 120 appearances. He played in three World Cups.

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