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Wayne Rooney rejects chance to interview for Everton job

Wayne Rooney, Derby County
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Wayne Rooney has revealed he turned down an interview for the Everton job following Rafa Benitez’s dismissal.

Wayne Rooney has revealed he turned down a chance to interview for the vacant managerial job at Everton.

Rooney, who is a boyhood Toffees fan, is currently the manager at Derby County, and insisted he wants to stay on with the Rams.

“They approached my agent and asked me to interview for the job which I turned down,” he said.

“I believe I will be a Premier League manager and that I’m ready for that, and if that’s with Everton in future that would be great.

“It was a very difficult decision but I’ve got a job here at Derby which is important to me, and that means me getting the team ready to play Birmingham on Sunday.”

Everton are still looking to appoint a permanent manager following Rafa Benitez’s sacking, with Duncan Ferguson taking interim charge of the club again.

Rooney is hoping to help Derby avoid relegation – the Rams are second from bottom, eight points off safety, and the club have until February to prove to the EFL that they have the funds to complete the season.

The former Manchester United man added: “I’ve spoken to the administrators and they’ve reassured me that Tom [Lawrence] won’t be going, and no players will be leaving.

“The stuff off the field is out of my control and we all want reassurances that this club can move forward. It needs to come as quickly as possible. It’s a difficult period and the important thing is this club gets sorted out.

“People really need to be sensible on this because I think it’s getting out of hand. We’ll keep doing our best on the pitch to make the fans proud. We’ll keep working and doing our job to try and get results and keep this club in the league.”

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