These are extremely difficult times for Derby County’s fans. The club from the East Midlands is trailing with minus 2 points at the bottom of the championship, the second highest English league.
However, there are no sporting reasons for this. Because coach Wayne Rooney’s team received 12 points because the club had to file for bankruptcy on Wednesday and three insolvency administrators were appointed.
Since the end of 2020 Rooney has been a player-coach, then since January as a full-time coach at Derby County, signed a contract until 2025. Rooney then smiled and posed with owner Mel Morris.
But the laughter is now completely gone for the record scorer of the England national team and Manchester United. Because Morris, who made his fortune with mobile phone games like “Candy Crush Saga”, addressed the club members shortly before filing for bankruptcy at the “Rams” training ground.
«Not a single call, no message»
It’s the first time since August 9 that Rooney has seen his boss. Rooney rants: “I was at the meeting on Tuesday. But I haven’t spoken to him face to face since August 9th. I really tried to talk to him. I used the club doctor’s phone and he picked it up. So he can take the club doctor’s calls, but not the coach’s? That wasn’t ideal. Not a single call, not a message. “
Rooney continues: “I find that a bit disrespectful. I don’t want an apology or anything. But my players pestered me with questions every day. Not being able to answer this hurt me. “
The speech by Morris on Tuesday did not convince Rooney either: “I have only just heard a radio interview with him. And in it he told exactly the same thing as he did at the meeting on Tuesday. In my opinion that was not sincere, it did not come from the heart. “
Rooney knows: “Morris put a lot of money into the club and deserves a lot of respect for it.” But: “There are also ways to approach things openly and honestly. And that wasn’t the case. That’s why I’m disappointed. ” (wst)