Wayne Rooney explains reasons behind quitting role as Derby County manager with supporters left saddened by the sudden news.
The 36-year-old’s contract with the League One outfit had another year to run, but now is the time to step down as the club seeks takeover completion.
The Rams have been in administration since September 2021 and were relegated to League One last season – the first time in the third tier since 1986.
Wayne Rooney has today informed Derby County Football Club that he wishes to be relieved of his duties as first team manager with immediate effect.#DCFC
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) June 24, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT
Wayne Rooney has today informed Derby County Football Club that he wishes to be relieved of his duties as first team manager with immediate effect.
Rooney said: “Over the course of the Summer I have been closely following developments regarding the ownership of Derby County.
“Today I met with the administrators to inform them of my decision that it was time for me to leave the club. In fairness to them, they tried tremendously hard to change my decision but my mind was made up.
“My time at the club has been a rollercoaster of emotions, both highs and lows, but I have to say that I have enjoyed the challenge.
“ Personally, I feel the club now needs to be led by someone with fresh energy and not affected by the events that have happened over the last eighteen months. I will remember my time at Derby with great pride and affection and would like to thank all my staff, players and of course the fans for their incredible support. I will never forget you and hope to see you all again in the near future and in happier times.
“Finally, I am aware that the club still have interested parties who wish to take over the running of the club. To them I say this, Derby County is a great club with a great history and great fans. I wish you all the best and much success for the future.”
A spokesperson on behalf of the joint administrators of Derby County Football Club (“The Club”) said: “The joint administrators are very disappointed that Wayne has taken the difficult decision to leave the club and we have spent some time today trying to persuade him to stay but understand his reasons for wanting to go. We are extremely grateful to him for his excellent work in the face of challenging on-field circumstances in the 2021/22 season and admire the manner in which he has led the team, the club and the local community through various off-field issues.
“The joint administrators recognise that staff and supporters will be frustrated and equally disappointed by this news, but we all wish him, his wife Coleen and their four boys every success in the future and we are sure they will always be welcomed back.
“All parties recognise the need to conclude a sale of the business and assets of the Club, as a matter of urgency and the joint administrators wish to reconfirm that Wayne’s departure will not affect those ongoing, positive discussions.”
“My time at the club has been a rollercoaster of emotions, both highs and lows, but I have to say that I have enjoyed the challenge.
“ Personally, I feel the club now needs to be led by someone with fresh energy and not affected by the events that have happened over the last eighteen months. I will remember my time at Derby with great pride and affection and would like to thank all my staff, players and of course the fans for their incredible support. I will never forget you and hope to see you all again in the near future and in happier times.
“Finally, I am aware that the club still have interested parties who wish to take over the running of the club. To them I say this, Derby County is a great club with a great history and great fans. I wish you all the best and much success for the future.”
A spokesperson on behalf of the joint administrators of Derby County Football Club (“The Club”) said: “The joint administrators are very disappointed that Wayne has taken the difficult decision to leave the club and we have spent some time today trying to persuade him to stay but understand his reasons for wanting to go. We are extremely grateful to him for his excellent work in the face of challenging on-field circumstances in the 2021/22 season and admire the manner in which he has led the team, the club and the local community through various off-field issues.
“The joint administrators recognise that staff and supporters will be frustrated and equally disappointed by this news, but we all wish him, his wife Coleen and their four boys every success in the future and we are sure they will always be welcomed back.
“All parties recognise the need to conclude a sale of the business and assets of the Club, as a matter of urgency and the joint administrators wish to reconfirm that Wayne’s departure will not affect those ongoing, positive discussions.”
Twitter users reacted as Wayne Rooney explains his reasons behind quitting the role at Derby County manager…
@DCFCcammm: actual tears.
@Quantocksram: What a rollercoaster of a day. We learn that PP has been prized away from MM and then WR understandably decides to ride off into the sunset. 5 weeks to the new season and still no owner, no manager and a handful of contracted players . Thanks MM & Quantuma. #dcfc #dcfcfans
@Tjallen22: I’m not sure if it would be popular but I would 100% get Warnock out of retirement #DCFC
@buenpondo: Rooney got the Freedom of Derby for taking them into the third tier for the first time since 1986 and then fucks off leaving them managerless and with just five first team players weeks before the start of the season. Everything that club does is hilariously tin pot #nffc #dcfc
@benJani95: Extremely sad to see Rooney go, but his 90k a week wages (if true) can be used to build a fantastic league 1 squad. Onwards and Upwards #dcfc #dcfcfans
@Nobby0101: Rooney did a very commendable and respectful job last season brought us all closer together and gave us hope through our darkest times. However one man will never be bigger than this club! #dcfc
@viksinghdosanjh: It’s a new chapter for the club, maybe rooney going, a new squad, new owners is exactly what we needed. It hasn’t happened the right with with administration but it’s the reset we needed. Hopefully the deal gets done and we will look to the future #DCFC #dcfcfans 🐏
@CurtHiggo: Not slating Rooney in the slightest, I think he needs praise for sticking by us during our darkest moments when it was easier to walk away, however, I do hope LR gets the job as I believe he is the brains behind it all at the club imo #dcfc
@RyanHills27: It’s okay to be thankful to Rooney for what he’s done, skeptical as to why he’s gone and excited to see what comes next. Fresh start for him, fresh start for the club in so many ways. Good luck to him, but we move on #dcfc
@superrammy: The big news today is the potential new owner not the WR resignation. Yes It’s sad,but the future of our club is far more important than any manager we might or might not have. I wish him all the best but we move on with new owners 🤞 #dcfcfans #dcfc
@500milesforGRiT: Rooney chose Kirchner. Rooney chose today to give this news. Rooney chose three days before pre-season training to throw it into chaos. His loyalty and management last year was inspirational. But let’s not mistake him for a saviour. The truth will always out. #dcfc #dcfcfans
@HeyupitsGav: Big news of the day remains the club future is closer to being secured. Rooney can be replaced, the club cannot #dcfc #dcfcfans
@littlefoxviv: To be honest, I think Rooney has made up his mind ages ago, but did not want to leave until Derby is in a more stable position than it was before today. For that, and sticking around for as long as did, he has my respect. Best of luck @WayneRooney #dcfc
@paull2265: Why stay through all the crap…. and with light at the end of the tunnel decide to leave…. #dcfc
@PSymcox: Well what can you say except, Thank you Wayne Rooney. You gave me and most other one of the best seasons in living memory. I do not blame him for going and can only say thank you. It was a pleasure. Once a Ram 🐏 #dcfc #dcfcfans
@su4eranio: WR leaves with a reputation of loyalty and team togetherness. Results wise, did ok but didn’t excel. Disappointing that he’s leaving and will always get a good reception. But I do think it gives club a chance to reinvent itself with strong leadership and experience #dcfc
@stefdcfc89: The timing of this stinks. His relation to Kirchner even more so. If wanted out why wait till 2 days before preseason??? #dcfc #dcfcfans
@AshWoody90: Ah Christ. This is horrific for Derby County. The debacle that is this takeover is finally enough for Wayne Rooney. Honestly, I don’t blame him at all. He’s been incredible for the club. Good luck Wayne, and thank you. 🖤🤍 #dcfc 🐏 #dcfcfans
@JackHousley_F1: You busy @warnockofficial? Fancy one last job. I think you’d enjoy it but you’d enjoy it by being fucking disciplined. Just what we need. #Dcfc
@cspaceram: No issue with Wazza moving on. Many would have done a long time ago. Loads of great memories and and you can pay a lot of league 1 players with his wage gone. #dcfc #dcfcfans
@mariknackered: “Rooney is so loyal”… that is until the new owners tell him they can’t afford to pay his contract. After that he’s back off up the M6 quicker than he gets an chub on at the bingo. Absolutely fantastic. #NFFC #DCFC
@RamsFanatic1884: Get Neil Warnock away from his pension and get him here now #dcfc
@Caroline_Mariee: It’s like one step forward and two back. Bloody gutted. Thank you for the memories @WayneRooney what a season that was 🖤🤍🖤 #dcfc
@TomDCFC87: Not a day goes by without drama at #dcfc. It’s been a chaotic few years, from Frank lampard to Rooney. It might actually be nice to have plain old Derby County back. Cheers, Wazza, last year was emotional
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