“100%” – Wayne Rooney delivers strong claim about his Derby County future

Wayne Rooney has said he and his staff will “100%” be at Derby County next season as they look ahead to life in League One. 

The Rams were relegated to the Championship in April but Rooney and his squad can hold their heads high as they nearly defied to odds to secure survival despite a 21-point deduction and constant off-field issues.

A number of second-flight jobs look likely to be available at the end of the 2021/22 campaign and the former England captain may well be high on some clubs’ list of targets but he has made it clear he will be at Pride Park next season.

Speaking at the East Midlands club’s End of Season Awards night yesterday, Rooney made his stance on his future as clear as it could be.

He said (via Derbyshire Live): “We have overcome all the obstacles which have been placed in front of us. We didn’t manage to do it in the end, but I am so proud – so proud of the players, the staff.

“I am extremely proud of what we have tried to achieve. We will get better, we will get stronger, we will come back, and I am looking forward to it.

“100% I will be here, and my staff will be here. I know with the players there are certain things we need to deal with, but they all want to stay.

“It is a pleasure to be at this football club and we go again next season, and hopefully get back up.

“The support this season has been incredible, it has pushed us on, and we have loved it. We have loved the challenge.”

The rebuild at Derby will not be a fast or an easy process but it does now seem as though the ownership situation is set to be sorted soon as American businessman Chris Kirchner told supporters via Twitter last night that the takeover deal was “almost done”.

The Verdict

It has been suggested on a number of occasions both