Championship

Derby County: Dean Jones backs Wayne Rooney to get managerial job

|
Image for Derby County: Dean Jones backs Wayne Rooney to get managerial job

Speaking recently on the Touchline Talk YouTube show, Dean Jones backed Wayne Rooney to take over as the next permanent manager of Derby County.

Since taking over as caretaker boss of the Rams back in November, Rooney has overseen seven games in interim charge, winning one, drawing four and losing two.

1 of 10

An easy one to kick off our quiz on the 2020 summer transfer window in the EFL, which player left Birmingham City to join Borussia Dortmund?

These results, as well as a poor start to the Championship season, have left the Rams languishing down in 22nd place in the second tier, with the side having only scored eight goals over the course of their 18 league fixtures.

However, Jones appeared to believe that Rooney would be a good fit as the next permanent manager of the club moving forwards, stating on the Touchline Talk YouTube show that the 35-year-old deserves the opportunity to see the job through.

He said: “I think that Wayne Rooney has shown that he can motivate this squad of players. He’s building it around a togetherness, he’s been calling team meetings and trying to get a unity among the players. I think that there are a lot of players that are really benefiting from playing under Wayne Rooney and I think that he does deserve the opportunity to see this through.

“I read a piece the other day talking about how hard he’s working, the kind of hours he’s putting into making sure he makes this a success. And, from my point of view, this is worth the gamble for Derby to get Rooney going in management – to be the club that gives him this platform and potentially reap the rewards of having [one of] the greatest English players of his generation leading them forward and potentially having this season staying up, progressing from there, and who knows where he could take them in the season after when things get back to normal a little bit and you’ve invested in him?

“Again, the lure that he would have in terms of pulling in players, whether they’d be on loan or on permanents or free agents, he could quite easily build a squad that is capable of promotion next season. So, I personally think that Wayne Rooney will be given this job.”

Do you think Rooney deserves to be Derby's next manager?

Yes

Yes

No

No

TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’ comments regarding Wayne Rooney…

While Jones’ point that Rooney will be able to attract a certain calibre of player due to his previous superstar reputation as a player could indeed be a big positive for the club if they do decide to appoint him as their next full-time manager, in our opinion, the club should still hold fire on making a decision just yet.

Despite the fact that Derby are now on a five-game unbeaten run under the 35-year-old, there has still only been one win during Rooney’s reign, as well as only three goals scored.

As such, if things carry on in the direction they are heading, then, by all means, Rooney does deserve a shot as manager. However, it won’t hurt the club at all to simply wait and see how the rest of the season goes under the former Manchester United man before deciding whether or not he should be their next permanent boss.

Share this article

Football Writer for Snack Media