Derby boss to depart over sour relationship with owner amid broken promise?

Is Derby County boss Wayne Rooney about to depart over his reported sour relationship with owner Mel Morris amid a broken promise?

According to the Daily Mail, the former footballer turned manager has become strained with Morris following the failed takeover bid.

After much anticipation, the Rams owner had agreed to sell the club to BZI back in November, a cause for excitement as talks went on.

However that well and truly dragged out after months of delays despite contracts being agreed and signed, the takeover ultimately never materialised with Morris now seeking fresh investment from elsewhere.

Mel Morris said that the permanent appointment of Rooney as manager would only be confirmed IF there was a deal with the takeover, so when he was named their new boss in January 2021, the fanbase thought a takeover deal had been given the green light.

However that was not the case, fooling them and now the bleak times continue after initial hope that they would be heavily backed and back playing top flight football.

Rooney has also had to contend with players’ complaints at not being paid on time on several occasions in the 2020/21 season.

Derby County News write: The situation has evidently affected Derby on the pitch.

“Rooney took interim charge following the sacking of Phillip Cocu, and he was appointed as the club’s permanent manager in January with the takeover said to be all-but done.

“The former Manchester United man was seemingly told as much, making plans to strengthen the squad in January as the Rams face a battle for Championship survival.

“Rooney, however, was left to wheel and deal late on as five players arrived on loan on deadline day while Kaide Gordon, Morgan Whittaker and George Evans were sold.

“Derby’s form, meanwhile, has declined following a winless run of seven games.

“The Daily Mail claim the failed takeover from Sheikh Khaled amid assurances it would go through has put a strain on Rooney’s relationship with owner Mel Morris.

“The situation isn’t ideal. That said, Rooney must have known what he was taking on while a big Championship club isn’t a bad way to start your managerial career.

“Derby still have plenty to offer with a thriving academy and facilities to match most Premier League clubs, but first preserving their league status must take centre stage.”

Derby are five points from the drop zone in the Championship table with just eight games remaining.

Derby County still face a potential points deduction if the EFL are successful in their appeal against the verdict of an independent panel.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, after the Rams were charged of breaching spending rules on the ‘amortisation of intangible assets’ while their sale of Pride Park also caused complaints to the EFL.

Derby were ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing, however should the EFL win their appeal, it will cast a huge amount of concern for the East Midlands outfit.

But the EFL have since appealed the decision, with Telegraph reporter John Percy claiming last week how the latest legal battle was to proceed before an independent panel.

The Mail Online’s Tom Collomosse states that the club are very much in danger if “the EFL win their appeal against the verdict of an independent panel, which had investigated the way Derby measured the value of their players.”

Derby County News wrote: “Plenty of questions have been asked of what could happen if Derby are found guilty.

“While a fine is the most plausible outcome, the Daily Mail claim there is still the possibility of a points deduction with Derby vowing to rigorously resist the EFL appeal.

“The Rams currently sit just five points above the Championship drop zone.

“It felt Derby had pulled well clear of the bottom three following a run of five wins in six games at the beginning of last month, but a winless run of seven has dragged them back in.

“The injury to Krystian Bielik has played a major role in Derby’s decline of late.

“Any points deduction this season would put Rooney’s side in real danger of relegation to League One unless they can rediscover their top form.

“With home games against Luton Town, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday to come, Derby’s Championship status is certainly still in their hands.

“Going forward, the failed takeover from BZI could put the club in a difficult financial position this summer while Rooney will surely be looking to improve Derby’s fragile squad.”

With talk that the Derby boss could be set to depart over his reported sour relationship with the owner, fans have been asked how many points they can get from their remaining games…

🔟 should be just enough to keep our heads above water 😬

— Tommy Lee (@Tommy_Lee333) March 29, 2021

@adammwalker1981: 24

@SteveBr03986547: I’m more optimistic now after the break…10

@Rob_wilb: 7 that’s it!

@MattyDilks: 12

@OBarlow98: 9

@Tylerdu17349769: 9 at most

@JohnAsk79249348: 6 at most, hello League 1

@derbychristine_: 12

@DickyTaiwan: 2 wins max and relegation

@nozzz1998: 13

@MartinBB95_DCFC: Fucking terrified looking at these last 8 fixtures. 😔🙈