Rooney Ends Playing Career to Become Full-Time Derby Boss

On Friday, former Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney ended his illustrious playing career to take on the full-time task of managing Championship side Derby.

Derby confirmed that Rooney, 35, has agreed on a permanent deal until 2023, succeeding Phillip Cocu in November on an interim basis.

Derby said the legendary forward had "elected to call time on his illustrious playing career to fully focus on his job" in embracing the role of the manager.

As interim boss at Derby, Rooney was in charge for nine matches, winning three and drawing four.

Stephen Pearce, chief executive officer of Derby County, said, "We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as our new manager,"

"Our recent upturn in results under Wayne was married together with some positive performances."

Rooney said he had been "blown away" by Derby's potential when he arrived at the club after a spell playing for DC United in the United States.

"To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour," he said.

"And I can promise everyone involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club."

- Record-breaker -

As the all-time leading goalscorer for United and his country, Rooney, who captained Manchester United and England, hangs up his boots.

He is also, with 208 goals, the second-highest goal scorer in Premier League history, behind only Alan Shearer.

His retirement was instantly recognised by the England official Twitter account, which posted: "A #ThreeLions legend. Congratulations on a fantastic playing career, @WayneRooney! Wishing you all the best in management."

Alex Ferguson, who signed Rooney for United, said: "He is England's top goalscorer, he is Manchester United's top goalscorer and he has had a fantastic career as a player.

"It will give him a starting point. But like anyone else it is a results industry. He will know that better than anyone.

"It is a big step for him. He is quite a wealthy young man now, so he probably doesn't need to go into management, but he wants to do it and that is important. Hopefully, he does well."

In 2002, Rooney made his boyhood club Everton debut and shot to fame by scoring a stunning goal to defeat Arsenal's then champions days before his 17th birthday.

In a £ 27 million ($ 37 million) transfer, he was signed by United after an impressive showing for England at Euro 2004.

Rooney soon started paying that fee back, scoring a hat-trick on his debut in the Champions League against Fenerbahce.

Before he finished his career demonstrating his more cerebral side in a deeper position, a powerful combination of poise and power made Rooney a lethal goal threat.

Capable of predatory finishes and stunning strikes in equal measure, during his prime years, Rooney was one of the world's best forwards.

In January 2017, he broke Bobby Charlton's long-standing record of 249 goals, going on to reach 253 goals for the Old Trafford club in total.

With Ferguson at the helm, Rooney won five Premier League titles and a Champions League medal and captained the club under Louis van Gaal to FA Cup glory in 2016.

He played 120 matches and scored 53 goals for England, appearing for the final time against the United States in 2018.

In 2017, the forward joined Everton from United, but for only a year before transferring to MLS side DC United, he was at Goodison Park.

As a player-coach, Rooney moved to Derby in January 2020 and took caretaker charge when Cocu was sacked.

Derby is currently in the Championship relegation zone but are level on 19 points with Sheffield Wednesday, in 21st place.