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Wayne Rooney has opened up on his reasoning behind snubbing old club Everton.

The Derby County manager revealed last month that he turned down an approach for an interview from his old club.

Rooney has been working under hugely difficult conditions at Pride Park, with the Championship club in administration and battling to avoid relegation to the third tier.

But he was won plenty of plaudits for his management of the situation. Now, he has spoken about his staff at the East Midlands were "scared" once a clear link with the Toffees emerged following Rafael Benitez's departure last month.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Rooney said: "I have been here now for over three years as player and manager and you build relationships up with players, first of all as team-mates, then as manager, and with staff.

"Everything I am asking of those players in terms of hard work, honesty, trust, commitment…if I was just to turn round and say "I have had an offer, I'm off", I honestly couldn't do that to the players and the staff.

"I could see once Benitez was sacked and my name was getting linked with Everton that the staff were down and they were scared that if I left, where did that leave the club.

"I know they have been looking to me to try and help rebuild this club.

"I spoke to the