Derby County are facing one of the biggest crises since the club was formed in 1884, with financial penalties, points deductions and transfer restraints leaving the club staring at a bleak future unless new owners can be found. Yet, amid this backdrop of turmoil, one man has been standing up to be counted. Wayne Rooney is showing that he is fast becoming a man for all seasons.
Maturing Wayne Rooney Standing Tall Amid Crisis
Commitment
Rooney’s talent on the pitch has never been in question since he burst onto the scene as a teenager with Everton, but his behaviour away from football often has been, with reports of affairs and drunken behaviour leading many to suggest he lacks maturity.
However, the crisis at Derby is proving to be the thing that is changing his persona.
Derby have been placed into administration and received a 12-point deduction, which sees them sit bottom of the Championship with a battle now on to remain in the second tier. This is a club that only a few seasons ago were being backed to return to the Premier League but financial mismanagement has left the club fighting for its survival.
It would have been easy for any manager, let alone someone with Rooney’s career, to walk away from the job but he has shown he is committed and refuses to walk away from a club that he has taken to his heart.
Rooney’s assistant at Derby, Liam Rosenior praised his commitment, telling the Derby Telegraph: “I am really proud of everyone, Wayne, myself, Justin Walker and Jason Pearcey are trying to manage the group in a difficult time and we’re all thriving in it. We are able to show what we are about and what we believe in. And I think the players and their performances are showing what we truly believe in, what we wanna see on a football pitch as well.”
Authentic
Rosenior went on to praise Rooney’s authenticity and described how what you see is what you get: “The best thing I can say about Wayne is that he has been himself; he is always genuine and authentic to himself. He has had a lot of experience over his career both on and off the pitch, absolutely everything, but he has remained calm, measured and in control.
“Wayne is intelligent with people. He cares about them as well and he has been able to show that side to him in such a difficult time. He doesn’t change when he’s doing a press conference, when he is doing a team talk or when he is addressing the staff in terms of a tough moment when the club went into administration.”
Rooney enjoyed a trophy-laden career on the pitch but it is adversity off the pitch that is really proving him to be a more mature person than many may have thought he was possible of being.
Drive and Determination
Rooney has everyone at Derby pulling together and this was no more demonstrated than when he was nominated for the Championship Manager of the Month for September. He guided the club to seven points from five games in the very month the 12-point deduction was applied.
Victories over Stoke City and Reading at Pride Park caught the eye as well as a hard-working and determined performance away at title favourites West Bromwich Albion.
Next Up for Rooney’s Rams
Derby travel to Preston North End on Saturday, October 16 as they look to work their way from the bottom of the table.
The Rams are seven points from safety following their points deduction but with Wayne Rooney at the helm, it would not be a huge surprise if he didn’t go onto keep Derby up, and if they can find new owners, this could be a long and fruitful relationship between Rooney and Derby County.
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