Wayne Rooney celebrating scoring against Bournemouth, May 2016. Photo Credit: AFP PHOTO, Lyndsey Parnaby.
Wayne Rooney won’t desert you. A club in financial crisis, beckoned for the drop; one would be excused for jumping ship, fleeing from the rapidly sinking, Derby County Football Club. The Rams were forced to accept a 21-point deduction for financial breaches under former owner, Mel Morris, leaving them deep in the depths of despair, certain to be playing League 1 football next season. Yet, a sense of resistance flows through the Derbyshire side, energised by a manager who many refer to as the greatest English player of all time. A leader whose accolades outshine most trophy cabinets, holds records for club and country and quickly became one of the biggest icons in football history – so why does he insists on remaining at the highly flammable, Derby County? Wayne Rooney won’t desert you.
In 2005, Manchester United signed a hungry, boisterous 18-year-old from Everton for £23 million, the highest amount ever paid for a teenager in world football. Legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, made sure he was at the front of the queue for the youngster, after bursting on to the scene with a memorable goal against Arsenal in 2002. After lifting endless Premier League Titles, a significant Champions League trophy and handfuls of domestic cups over the following six years, Rooney grew unsure of the direction the Red Devils were heading in. The emergence of derby rivals Manchester City, who were gradually becoming a force to be reckoned with under their new ownership, meant they were now challenging for league titles. There was heavy interest for the English striker going into the summer transfer window of 2011. Manchester United had just won back the title from Chelsea, a situation where most would assume was ideal. However, there was a growing feeling amongst the fanbase that United were selling their best players and not replacing them with adequate recruits. The most notable departure was Balon D’or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was replaced with Ecuadorian winger, Antonio Valencia. Rooney was ready for a change and Manchester City seemed the perfect place to continue his illustrious career…. But Wayne Rooney won’t desert you. Especially not for your city rivals.
It's one thing being loyal to your employees, but it’s a whole bigger thing to set aside your own ambitions for the good of morality. Rooney remained on the red side of Manchester for a further six years, becoming the all-time top goal scorer for club and country, before returning to boyhood club, Everton. The Evertonian, now in charge of Championship Derby County, is being hunted down by The Toffees to manage his former team. This is a job you simply can’t turn down. Disregarding the obvious emotional ties with the club, it’s a job in the Premier League, the most watched competition in the world, a chance at the big time managing one of moat historic teams in England. The answer is no. There’s a job that needs finishing at Derby. Their form suggest that they may have a fighting chance of keeping themselves in the Championship, despite constant threats of point deduction. In a time where money and greed casts a shadow over the sport we love, I congratulate Wayne Rooney for being a constant pillar in the sport, reminding us of our traditions. There will be a time for the England legend to manage in the Premier League, but for now… Wayne Rooney won’t desert you.
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