‘No communication’ – Rooney opens up on Everton links

Jason Soutar
Wayne Rooney watches a match from the touchline

Derby County boss Wayne Rooney insists there has been no contact made by Everton amid rumours he will replace Rafael Benitez as manager.

Benitez is under immense pressure at Goodison Park despite the club’s torrid injury record this term.

The Toffees have won one of their last ten Premier League matches and are currently 14th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone.


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It was rumoured on Monday that Rooney ‘could make a sensational return’ to Everton if Benitez is ‘forced out’.

The 36-year-old came through the Toffees’ youth academy and made over 100 appearances for the Merseyside club during two spells.

He joined Derby in January 2020 as a player-coach and was appointed as permanent manager of the Rams in January this year.

“I don’t think I could have missed them, to be honest,” Rooney said when asked if he has seen reports linking him with Everton, as per Derbyshire Live.

“I obviously came up through Everton’s Academy, Everton fan, but I see the reports and I have had no communication with Everton Football Club.

“As far as I am aware they have got a manager in place, so for me to discuss anything like that, it’s not my place to do that. As I have said I am committed to this club.

“I think it is a credit to the staff, who work extremely hard, that you get linked with jobs, but that’s all it is.

“I have had no conversation with Everton Football Club regarding the manager’s job and so it is not even something I am thinking about.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal icon Ray Parlour believes Rooney “wouldn’t be a bad fit” at Goodison Park.

As cited by HITC, Parlour has told talkSPORT that he thinks Rooney would work well at Everton.

“Rooney has done the best he can with the resources he’s got,” said Parlour.

“He’s got Everton in his heart, that’s where he started his career. So that wouldn’t be a bad fit for me.

“I think that would probably work.”