His fight to keep the club afloat during a period of unprecedented instability endeared him to many supporters, and his efforts are unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon.
Wayne Rooney is set to return to Pride Park this weekend for the first time since his departure as
Derby County manager in 2022, and he’s opening up about the emotional and challenging
experience that was his tenure at the club. This Saturday, Rooney’s Plymouth side will visit Derby
County, and although the reunion will be bittersweet, the former Rams boss is focused on the task at
hand — securing three points for his current club.
Rooney’s time at Derby County was marked by unprecedented difficulties. The club was in
administration, facing point deductions and a transfer embargo, yet under his leadership, the Rams
fought valiantly to stay in the Championship. Despite the club’s eventual relegation to League One
in 2022, Rooney’s efforts were widely praised, especially for the way he managed such a crisis-
ridden situation. His departure came at the end of a tumultuous season, and now, nearly two years
later, he’s ready for an emotional return.
A “Place in His Heart” for Derby, but Focused on Plymouth’s Ambitions.
Rooney acknowledged that while Derby County will always have “a place in his heart,” he will push
those emotions aside when he steps onto the touchline this weekend. The emotional ties to the club
are undeniable, and he admits he has “very good memories” from his time at Pride Park.
“I met some very good people, and we worked through difficult moments at the football club,”
Rooney reflected. “I think during my time there, we created a really good environment. So I have
really fond memories.”
Despite the affection for Derby County, Rooney’s current focus is firmly on Plymouth, his new
challenge after leaving the Rams. The former Manchester United and England captain made it clear:
“My loyalty is here, and we have to go there and try to get three points.” This professional outlook is
what made his spell at Derby so admirable to many, even as he navigated some of the darkest
periods in the club’s history.
A Shared Struggle that Brought the Club Closer.
One of the standout elements of Rooney’s time at Derby was his ability to unite the club during its
darkest days. Amid financial turmoil and job losses for staff members, Rooney and his coaching
staff worked tirelessly to keep morale high and deliver the best results they could with a severely
depleted squad.
“It was difficult times for the football club, for the fans, for the staff,” Rooney said. “We had staff
members getting made redundant and losing their jobs, but we had to really try to keep it close-knit.
Sometimes, through the most difficult moments, it brings people together, and I think that’s exactly
what happened.”
Rooney’s role went beyond that of a traditional manager; he became a figurehead of hope in a time
when the club’s future was uncertain. His approach to handling the emotional strain on staff and
players earned him admiration, and he remains proud of the way everyone pulled together during
the crisis.
Returning to Pride Park: Warm Reception Likely.
Although Rooney’s departure from Derby was on less-than-ideal terms, with the club’s relegation to
League One ending his time there, he’s expected to receive a warm reception from Rams fans on his
return. His fight to keep the club afloat during a period of unprecedented instability endeared him
to many supporters, and his efforts are unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon.
“I’m sure there will be a warm reception,” Rooney admitted. “It will be nice to see a few old friends I
haven’t seen for a while. But, my job is to win the game, and that’s what we’ll be focusing on.”
Saturday’s match between Derby and Plymouth will be much more than just a football game for
Rooney. It represents the culmination of a challenging chapter in his career, a time when he grew as
a manager and formed lasting connections with both staff and fans. However, for Rooney, it’s also a
chance to prove that his focus is now firmly on the future with Plymouth — and to show that, even
amid the nostalgia, his ambitions as a manager are clear: to win, no matter the opponent.
As Derby County prepares to face his Plymouth side, the match promises to be a highly emotional
one, with Rooney’s legacy at Pride Park still a topic of conversation. But, as he puts it: “We’ll see
friends, share some good memories, but the focus has to be on the game.”
It’s clear that, while his feelings toward Derby County remain positive, Rooney’s commitment to his
current role will take precedence when he faces his former club this weekend. Fans will no doubt be
excited to see their former manager back at Pride Park, but only one thing matters to Rooney now:
the pursuit of victory.
