Ferdinand believes Rooney ‘jumps out’ as clear Everton contender

Lewis Oldham
Ferdinand speaks on Rooney

Wayne Rooney “jumps out” to Rio Ferdinand as a standout candidate to become Everton’s new permanent manager.

Along with Frank Lampard and Fabio Cannavaro, Rooney has been linked with a move to Everton.

Rafael Benitez was sacked last week as the Toffees have dropped down to 16th in the Premier League.


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Rooney has been Derby County’s manager since 2020. They are struggling financially and they have been deducted 21 points this season.

Despite this, they have fared well on the pitch as they have moved off the bottom of the Championship.

Ferdinand believes Rooney is the candidate Everton fans will be “going crazy about”:

“It’s difficult because each name brings different value to the club,” Ferdinand said (as quoted by the Liverpool Echo).

“Rooney jumps out at me because of the fantastic job he is doing at Derby. The resources he has to work with there are crazy, and there is a lot going on off the field.

“If he joined Everton, he would leave a job unfinished [at Derby] and I don’t know if Wazza would be comfortable doing that. At the same time, getting the opportunity to manage at Everton, can he turn that away?

“Out of all the names, Wayne Rooney is the one that the fans would be going crazy about.

“Mourinho and Potter, I don’t think they would get. That leaves Frank Lampard, Rooney and Martinez. I’d be equally happy with Wayne or Frank.”

Louis Saha believes Rooney is “ready to return” to Everton:

“I have full confidence that Wayne Rooney would be ready to return to his boyhood club. Look at the job that he is doing at Derby in unbelievably tough conditions.

“He would need to have the right team around him to help him step up. With all due respect to Derby County, managing Everton is a big leap but a magnificent challenge.

“We know that Wayne Rooney wants to win in whatever he does. As a manager, he will want to test himself at the highest level and will be ready for the challenge.”