Louis Saha reacts to news linking Derby County boss Wayne Rooney with the Everton manager’s job | OneFootball

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Football League World

·19 January 2022

Louis Saha reacts to news linking Derby County boss Wayne Rooney with the Everton manager’s job

Article image:Louis Saha reacts to news linking Derby County boss Wayne Rooney with the Everton manager’s job

Wayne Rooney’s former teammate Louis Saha has claimed the Derby County manager is ready to step up for the Everton job.

The Premier League club is currently searching for a new manager, with Rooney reportedly set for an interview for the vacant position.


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Rooney’s efforts with Derby have seen him earn praise from all corners of English football punditry, and Saha, who played with Rooney at Manchester United, believes that he is ready to take the step up to the top flight.

“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,” said Saha to Genting Casino via the Mirror.

“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.”

The Frenchman praised Rooney’s winning mentality, suggesting that the 36-year old will want to keep proving himself at the highest levels.

Quiz: Have each of these 25 ex-Derby County players ever played in the Premier League?

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Article image:Louis Saha reacts to news linking Derby County boss Wayne Rooney with the Everton manager’s job

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“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,” added Saha.

“I’m confident he would be successful because of his pedigree as a player and also as a person.”

Rooney helped Derby escape relegation last season, and is currently attempting to do the same this campaign.

Despite a 21-point deduction penalty, the Rams are still in with a fighting chance to salvage their Championship status.

Rooney’s side are eight points adrift of 21st place Reading, with 20 games still to play.

Their recent form has seen them pick up 13 points from their last five games, including wins against Sheffield United, Stoke City, West Brom and Blackpool.

Those victories have brought Derby above Barnsley in the table to move into 23rd place.

Up next for the Rams is an away visit to their rivals Nottingham Forest, who are in good form under Steve Cooper and in 10th. The two sides face each other on January 22.

The Verdict

The job Rooney has done with Derby County has been spectacular.

Clubs who receive a points penalty as big as Derby’s are always doomed to relegation.

That the club even has a fighting chance of survival is a testament to the work being done by the coaching staff.

The jump up to Everton would be a massive leap to make for Rooney, who does lack experience as a manager. It remains to be seen what the Everton board will decide, but that Rooney is being offered an interview at all is reward enough for his efforts so far.

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