Wayne Rooney will stay as Derby County boss in League One on one condition

TEAMtalk understands Wayne Rooney is ready to continue as manager of relegated Derby County in League One, as long as the club’s new owners back him.

Rooney, one of the highest paid manager’s outside of the top flight, only just failed to keep the Rams in the Championship. They were of course handed a 21-point penalty due to their financial situation and finished seven points off safety.

They would have finished around 17th had they not been penalised by the EFL.

The club were handed a 12-point penalty after going into administration. And the administrators agreed another deduction of nine points in November, plus a further suspended three points, for historical financial breaches under former owner Mel Morris.

But Rooney’s work has not gone unnoticed at Pride Park and the club want him to stay under prospective new owner Chris Kirchner.

The American’s takeover should be completed by the end of the month, according to administrators Quantuma.

Rooney, who claimed some big scalps at Pride park last season, has put together a talented squad. And he has already stated the vast majority are ready to stay.

Derby only have five players contracted for next season. And they are unable offer new deals because of restrictions while they are in administration.

“It is so rare and so unique and so positive that they all want to stay,” Rooney said last month.

“The players love being here.”

Rooney snubs Manchester United return

The Manchester United legend turned down the chance to talk to his former club Everton earlier this year. And The Athletic claim Manchester United made contact with him in recent weeks as part of their managerial overhaul.

The club will be coached by Erik ten Hag next season after they paid £1.7mto release him from Ajax.

But TEAMtalk have been told by Derby sources that they believe Rooney will still be in charge at the start of the season.

Rooney though will want support from Kirchner, who is now funding the running of Derby.

Talks between the pair have taken place with a business plan lodged last month.

“I can say 95% of the players in there I would want to keep. But what I can’t do is tell them what the salary will be,” Rooney said.

“The players who are out of contract. I know there are other clubs sniffing round them and putting salaries in front of them which unfortunately sometimes that is what it takes.”