Liam Rosenior has been confirmed as Derby County's new interim manager, just two days after previous head coach Wayne Rooney left the club.
Rosenior has been at Pride Park since 2019, working alongside previous manager Phillip Cocu before moving up to become assistant to Rooney followin the former England skipper's appointment on a permanent basis in early 2021.
Rosenior has now been confirmed as the Rams' interim boss. A statement released on Derby's website read: "Liam Rosenior has been appointed as Derby County’s Interim Manager. Derby’s players will return to Moor Farm Training Ground on Monday morning to start pre-season training and Rosenior will head up preparations for the upcoming 2022/23 League One campaign.
"Rosenior, 37, will be supported by the existing first-team backroom staff. Rosenior has spent the last three years on Derby’s coaching team, initially as Specialist First Team Coach before stepping up to be Assistant Manager to former manager Wayne Rooney midway through the 2020/21 campaign."
It is unclear how long Rosenior will be in charge for, given his appointment is only for the interim. He was linked with the vacancy at Blackpool earlier this month before Michael Appleton was appointed by the Championship club.
Rooney, who left Derby on Friday, posted a lengthy statement confirming his exit. He wrote: "Over the course of the Summer I have been closely following developments regarding the ownership of Derby County.
“Today I met with the administrators to inform them of my decision that it was time for me to leave the club. In fairness to them, they tried tremendously hard to change my decision but my mind was made up. My time at the club has been a rollercoaster of emotions, both highs and lows, but I have to say that I have enjoyed the challenge. Personally, I feel the club now needs to be led by someone with fresh energy and not affected by the events that have happened over the last eighteen months.
"I will remember my time at Derby with great pride and affection and would like to thank all my staff, players and of course the fans for their incredible support. I will never forget you and hope to see you all again in the near future and in happier times.
"Finally, I am aware that the club still have interested parties who wish to take over the running of the club. To them I say this, Derby County is a great club with a great history and great fans. I wish you all the best and much success for the future."
Derby were relegated from the Championship last season after a horror campaign that saw them enter administration, hit with a transfer embargo and endure a long-running takeover saga.
Next season they will play in the third tier of English football for the first time since 1986 and uncertainty remains over their future although the news on Rosenior came just before an announcement that local businessman David Clowes has his bid to buy Derby accepted. Clowes, a lifelong supporter of the club, hopes to complete the purchase on Wednesday.
County begin the season at home to Oxford on July 30.
