Exclusive: Ian Holloway’s respect for Wayne Rooney underlined amid Derby County troubles | OneFootball

Discovery+ and Quest pundit Ian Holloway is delighted that Wayne Rooney has stuck around at Derby County amid all of their off the pitch issues.

The Rams have made an impressive start to the season through so much adversity and would be comfortably outside the relegation zone if it was not for a heavy points deduction. Wayne Rooney’s managerial capabilities were thoroughly questioned last season when County came so close to being relegated to League One, but in very different circumstances the young manager if showing himself to be an excellent leader of men.

Derby have ground out three wins and six draws from their opening ten games and have gained many admirers for their performances with the club’s future uncertain. Rooney has been at the forefront of that with powerful comments in interviews and not ruling out what would be possibly the greatest escape from relegation in Football League history.

When asked what he has made of the job Rooney is doing, Holloway exclusively told Football League World: “He must be a multi-millionaire and he could look at this and use excuses.

“He’s started with a real tough job but I’m delighted he’s knuckled down and he wants to take it on and keep going. He’s got to create a siege atmosphere around the place. I’m delighted he cares about it that much to put his name to it all.”

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The complexities of his role will definitely stand Rooney is good stead for future positions and his selflessness and compassion in the current situation will attract jobs in higher places.

It would have been easy for the former England captain to walk away and look for a job elsewhere. However, his stubbornness and determination at Derby have demonstrated a side of Rooney that many did not know he had and while the Rams are still mathematically in with a chance of maintaining second tier status the supporters can believe.

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