Wayne Rooney retires from football to take up Derby County job

On Friday, 15 January 2021, Wayne Rooney retired from playing competitive football and took on a new career as the manager of Championship club Derby County.

Captain. Leader. The greatest.@WayneRooney: The Manager ?

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 15, 2021

Speaking on his appointment, he said: “My future is in management, I have had a great career, I would not change anything, hopefully now I can write some history and have a good managerial career.”

He also tweeted:

Loved every minute of my playing career but excited to get started in management with a great club in @dcfcofficial.

Thanks for all the messages and best wishes, appreciate them all ?? pic.twitter.com/zYABfF9UBx

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) January 15, 2021

Rooney joined Derby County as a player-coach in January 2020. He was named the captain in his first match for the club and he went on to score six goals in 24 appearances. Most of these goals were important ones.

For example, he scored the deciding goal in a 2–1 win victory against Reading and a 1–0 win at Preston North End. Wayne Rooney helped Derby finish 10th in his first season there.

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In the 2020/2021 season, the 35-year-old scored an 87th-minute free-kick to help Derby see off Norwich City. After manager Phillip Cocu left the club by mutual consent, Rooney joined the four-man interim management team.

However, it soon became apparent that he would be next in line for the managerial job. By the end of November 2020, the former England international left the playing squad.

Wayne Rooney retired as the highest goal scorer for England national team (53 goals) and Manchester United (253 goals). During his active playing days, he was described as one of the most versatile players. While his traditional role is as a striker, Rooney has played all over the midfield and forward positions through the years.

Here is what some former teammates, colleagues and football writers are saying about his appointment:

Wayne Rooney – a true @ManUtd Legend. ?

One of the greatest, a lovely teammate and a fantastic goal scorer! Happy retirement @WayneRooney, enjoy your career after football and all the best in your life as a manager! ??? pic.twitter.com/1euhSrWFqh

— Edwin van der Sar (@vdsar1970) January 15, 2021

But Rooney always gave everything, always talked thoughtfully about football, inc the famous “streetwise” talk in Rio about England. No ego, a team man, definite managerial potential. Good luck to Rooney now full-time manager #dcfc & congratulations on a great playing career 4/4

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) January 15, 2021

Sir Alex Ferguson, a former Manchester United manager also congratulated him. “It’s great there’s a core of young English players rolling their sleeves up and trying to dig in and take the opportunity they were given,” he said.