Wayne Rooney ➡️ Everton ❌
? “I have a job at Derby, which is important to me.”
? https://t.co/cuw1cdM7vZ#bbcfootball #dcfc #bbcefl pic.twitter.com/kHB1ojtBNi
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 28, 2022
Football is a big deal in Ireland, and no country garners more column inches than England. Across the Irish Sea, the English have the biggest and best divisions in world football, which means they also have the most drama. A massive talking point after the January transfer window closed is Wayne Rooney’s decision to stay at Derby County. On one hand, it’s admirable. However, should he have grabbed the opportunity to move back to his boyhood club?
A Club in Turmoil
The Everton job might not be as appealing as it once was, yet the Derby County managerial position is a different kettle of fish. To put it into perspective, the Championship relegation odds at Betfair currently don’t provide odds on Derby’s chances of survival. Instead, the operator quotes Barnsley as the 1/14 favourites. Of course, with games in hand over Derby, Barnsley could easily lift themselves off the foot of the table, as well-respected Championship tips point out.
It would seem as if the bookmakers have already decided the Rams’ fate, which wouldn’t be surprising considering they were hit with a nine-point deduction and were in the minus column for points after 17 games. The fact the squad has galvanised to be in with a shout of reaching 20th-place by May is nothing short of a miracle.
Combine that with a fire sale in January that resulted in Rooney having no funds to use in the transfer window, and it seems as if the task could be a step too far for the former-Manchester United player. If he can pull off a great escape, it would be inexplicable.
No Safety in the Numbers
Taking the easy option has never been Rooney’s MO. Love him or hate him. He gave everything he had as a player and is using the same approach as a coach. With more money than he knows what to do with, and media platforms queuing up to sign him as a pundit, he doesn’t need the hassle. He deserves huge respect for that.
Still, the Everton offer might have arrived at the ideal moment, seeing as Derby’s existence as a club is in doubt. By the beginning of March, the Rams might have to renegotiate his contract or release him for financial purposes. After all, Derby County has already been granted a stay of execution by the EFL Board, according to The Mirror.
In this scenario, Rooney would be without a job, while Frank Lampard spends millions of pounds on Merseyside to eliminate the bad taste in the mouth of Evertonians after Rafael Benitez’s sacking. That would be hard to take.
A Job for Life?
There is a flip side to this coin. Rooney has done so well as the manager of Derby, acting with respect and professionalism, that the football world recognises the excellent work he is doing. Regardless of whether Derby County is relegated, it wouldn’t harm his reputation, and, as a result, his opportunity of landing a top job. As Planet Football reports, people respond to his genuine and authentic style.
Indeed, some cynical people believe it’s better to be the man who replaces the man, like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United or Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea. When chairmen and CEOs admire potential candidates, managers are never short of job offers. So, Everton might call again if Lampard fails.
Even if he doesn’t, Rooney could reel in bigger fish. For instance, Betfair rates him as a 25/1 shot to be the next Manchester United coach at the start of the next season. If Mauricio Pochettino doesn’t go to Old Trafford, the Glaziers could do worse than knocking on Rooney’s door.
The task on Rooney’s hands is probably the toughest in English football right now. Hopefully, rejecting Everton and remaining at Pride Park works out for him because of his loyalty. Whatever happens, football supporters in Ireland will be watching on with bated breath.