Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney returned to Everton in 2017 and after spending one season with the Toffees, he joined Major League Soccer side DC United.
Earlier in August, the former England international agreed a deal with Derby County to become a player-coach from January 2020. He will initially join the Rams on an 18-month deal and they will have an option to further extend it by a year.
The Championship side appointed Phillip Cocu as their new manager in the summer and have managed only five wins in their first 15 league matches under his guidance. Subsequently they’re 15th in the table.
Derby have scored only 18 goals in the league =and have struggled to find the back of the net regularly after losing Harry Wilson and Mason Mount.
The situation could improve following Rooney’s arrival, and Cocu has explained how the arrival can help his club.
“I was suddenly asked what I would think if Wayne Rooney came to the club. My immediate response was:‘Please’,” he told Voetbal International.
“His football qualities are beyond dispute. Wayne is a top professional on the pitch, who has increasingly begun to delve into all aspects of football.
“I am talking about tactics, group dynamics, physical guidance and real trainer things. He can be of great value for the development of our players. And he wants to get a glimpse of the coaching profession.”
Cocu also gave an insight on Rooney’s interest in Dutch football
“He appears to be very interested in Dutch football. How we train talents, the football style that we are known for, match-related training. I know that Wayne was fascinated by the working method of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United,” Cocu explained.
“You can compare his double role [player-coach] with my return to PSV. Then I was 33 years old and I came above all as a player. But Guus Hiddink involved me in many things that have to do with coaching. It is great for the entire club that a figure like Rooney comes here.”
