The current coach of Derby County, Wayne Rooney has admitted that he had to think very hard before he decided to reject the opportunity of being the coach of Everton.
Recall that Everton have been without a permanent coach since they sacked coach Rafael Benitez. The coach was asked to go after he led the club to 10 defeats and 4 draws in 19 Premier League games.
Benitez could not inspire the club well enough to compete for a European slot, instead, he led the club four points closer to the relegation zone.
After his exit, Everton appointed Duncan Ferguson in an interim capacity who could not also return the club to winning ways. He lost his first match in charge of the team 1-0 against Aston Villa at Goodison Park on January 22, 2022.
Hence, the club was left with no choice than to intensify their quest to get a permanent coach before the January transfer window closes.
According to Wayne Rooney, Everton approached his agent in an attempt to convince him to apply for the vacant position. But the former Manchester United star turned down the offer.
On Friday, January 28, Wayne Rooney told reporters in a Press Conference that he believes that he is ready to be a coach in the Premier League but he still wants to remain loyal to struggling Championship side Derby County.
Wayne Rooney has been dealt arguably the worst hand of any Derby manager ever.
— Jake Barker (@JakeBarker1212) January 28, 2022
Transfer Embargo ✅
Tiny Squad Limit ✅
Administration ✅
Team of OAPs and Kids ✅
21 Point deduction ✅
Yet he turned down Everton, and could keep us up. Steering the Ship Through the Storm 🐏 #DCFC pic.twitter.com/mbfcPdhBoI
“Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the vacant job, which I turned down”, Wayne Rooney reveals.
“I believe that I will be a Premier League manager and I believe I’m ready for that 100 percent, and if that is with Everton one day in the future that’d be absolutely great. But I’ve got a job here to do at Derby County which is an important job to me.”
When asked if it was hard for him to turn down Everton, the retired England international added: “Yes, of course, I did [think hard about it]. They got in touch with my agent and my agent let the administrators know as well. Of course, it was a very difficult decision for me.”
Wayne Rooney: “Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the job. I turned it down. I believe I will be a PL manager and am ready for that 100%. But I have a job at Derby, which is important to me”. 🔵 #EFC @sistoney67 pic.twitter.com/BmRK4shl05
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 28, 2022
As it stands, Everton have streamlined their search for a new coach to three candidates – Frank Lampard, Vitor Pereira, and Duncan Ferguson.
On Friday, the club’s owner Farhad Moshiri alongside the club’s chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, and finance director Grant Ingles met with the candidates for discussions.
According to reports, the last phase of discussion is expected to take place today, January 29 and it would center around the transfer targets of the candidates. Any of the candidates that can convince the club’s board will be announced as the club’s permanent coach.
Reports from the interview the club’s owner held with the potential coaches of the club revealed that Frank Lampard is currently the most likely candidate for the job.
