Derby County announced on Friday that manager Wayne Rooney has decided to leave after being 17 months in charge. The former Manchester United and England striker issued a statement via the club’s official channel, where he confirmed his desire to be relieved of his duties as first team manager with immediate effect.
“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,”
the 36-year-old said before signing off.
Rooney departs the club following the Rams remaining in administration following a period of uncertainty that saw the club relegated to Sky Bet League One. The former Manchester United, Everton and DC United player received numerous accolades for his contributions to the club’s fight to avoid relegation.
The Rams would have finished 18th, level with Bristol City on 55 points, if not for the 12-point deduction for entering administration. The aforementioned deduction was followed by a nine-point penalty for breaching English Football League accounting rules. As a result, the Rams have been relegated from the Championship in April.
Also read 👉 Rooney’s Derby County relegated to League One; Fulham promoted back to the Premier League
Instead, despite the struggles of a team brimming with young players, many of whom had little to no EFL experience, punishments for off-the-field issues proved too much of a stumbling block.
Rooney took the reins at Derby County in November 2020 and forged a bond with the Rams’ faithful during one of the club’s most difficult periods.
