Wayne Rooney retires to take over as manager of Derby County originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Wayne Rooney is officially hanging up his boots for good after accepting a permanent role as manager of EFL Championship club Derby County.
According to a statement released by the club on Friday, the two parties agreed to a two-and-half-year deal with the 35-year-old that will run until the summer of 2023.
"In line with taking up the managerial position, Rooney has elected to call time on his illustrious playing career to fully focus on his job," the statement reads.
Friday’s announcement closes the door on an illustrious 19-year playing career that saw the global soccer icon amass 237 goals in over 700 professional appearances for club and country.
Rooney made his professional debut at the age of 16 for his boyhood club Everton FC in 2002. Having spent the bulk of his career at Manchester United, the former England captain retires having lifted the Premier League trophy five times. He retires as England and Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Rooney’s blockbuster move to Major League Soccer in 2019 helped usher in a new era for D.C. United in conjunction with the opening of Audi Field. His midseason arrival saw the Black and Red rise from the bottom of the East to the playoffs, with Rooney doing his best to replicate the magic he produced at Old Trafford for so many years.
Following his departure from D.C., Rooney joined Derby County as a player-coach in January 2020. Rooney had been in charge of the Rams on an interim basis since the club parted ways with Dutch manager Phillip Cocu in November.
He has overseen nine matches as interim manager, recording three victories and four draws. He'll have his first test as a full-time manager when Derby County hosts Rotherham United on Saturday.
