Former England captain Wayne Rooney is in advanced talks with Derby County about joining the Championship (second-tier) club as player-coach, Sky Sports News reported on Monday.
Derby’s new Dutch manager Phillip Cocu declined to comment on the reports but Sky said England’s record goalscorer was due to fly to the Midlands to discuss the details of the deal.
The 33-year-old ex-Manchester United and Everton striker, who has two years left on his contract with MLS club DC United, has previously spoken of his desire to go into management.
The BBC reported that Derby owner Mel Morris believes Rooney could help to get the club back into the Premier League.
“At the moment I can’t say anything,” Cocu told Sky Sports after Derby beat Huddersfield Town 2-1 in their opening fixture of the new Championship campaign.
“Like I said before the game we are working on completing the team. It isn’t complete yet. I cannot say anything about names before things are done.
Derby appointed Rooney’s former England team mate Frank Lampard as manager last season and he took them to the playoff final but has since joined his former club Chelsea.
If negotiations go well, he could be confirmed as a Derby player and coach within days, Sky reported.
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Source: (Reuters)
