Wayne Rooney: Everton linked more flattering Derby boss, but his former club hasn’t approached it | Football news

Wayne Rooney claims Everton has not been contacted about their open leadership position, but is nevertheless flattered that he will be associated with a role in his boys ’club.

The former Everton striker, who is currently in charge of the financially distressed Sky Bet Championship club in Derby County, is one of the names mentioned as a possible successor to Rafa Benitez in Goodison Park after the Spanish departure.

But while Rooney understands why his name is associated with his boys ’club, where he rushed to the stage as a teenager, the 36-year-old still focuses on his work with Rams and notes the prime minister has not been contacted. On the league side, the club administrators.

Saturday, Jan. 22 at noon

Starts at 12:30 p.m.

“I’m like everyone else, I see speculation on social media and in the newspapers, and of course Everton is a club I’ve grown to support,” said Rooney, whose side trip to rival Nottingham Forest in the championship series live. on Sky Sports on saturday.

“I’m flattered that I was brought up in those conversations, but I know Everton knows they have to go through administrators so they can communicate with me.

“Everyone loves a fairy tale, but from my point of view, I’m focusing on tomorrow’s game. It’s a massive game, it’s a local Derby, and I have to make sure I treat it with all the respect it deserves, and this club deserves it.

“They haven’t come to call the administrators, so I won’t let anything distract me from the work I’m doing here. I understand the questions have to be asked, but there has been no contact [from Everton] with administrators, so I can’t say more. “

I’m flattered that I was brought up in those conversations, but I know Everton knows they have to go through administrators to connect with me.

Derby will take a relatively short trip to City Ground for a start starting at 12.30pm on Saturday. They are worried about the future of the club and will face their local rivals, who have enjoyed a significant turnaround in wealth since Steve Cooper took the lead.

A recent statement from EFL warned that they were facing a very real threat of liquidation unless the situation was resolved, although Rooney says he has been given assurances that players will no longer leave without his promise.

Awaiting legal action from Wycombe Wanderers and Middlesbrough is still complicated for potential buyers and while Rooney sympathizes with the frustration and anger felt by Derby fans, he does his best to make sure he and the players continue to focus on getting out of the championship relegation zone.

“We’re all frustrated and we want a solution and we want it to be sorted out as soon as possible, but it’s in our control,” Rooney said.

“The only thing I can do is focus on my work and try to continue what we are doing on the field and I hope the work can be done outside the field as soon as possible because the club needs help.

“I think these are questions that administrators need to answer, but from my point of view, I had a discussion with them earlier this week and they’re pretty sure they’ll get something done next week.

“I hope so, but we know they need help, whether they’re primary providers, EFL – they need help here.”