Wayne Rooney has explained why he snubbed the opportunity to be interviewed by Everton for the vacant management position following Rafa Benitez’s sacking.
Rooney came through the youth ranks at Everton and celebrated a year in charge of Derby County last month as they beat Sheffield United 2-0 at Pride Park.
The former Blues forward has done a remarkable job to help inspire the Rams off the bottom of the Championship table - despite being hit with a 21-points' deduction this season.
Rooney's side are currently just seven points adrift of safety despite having faced setback after setback over the past year.
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And because of the job England's all-time record goalscorer has done at Pride Park, his name was discussed by Goodison Park chiefs in their hunt for a new manager before the club opted to appoint Frank Lampard.
But speaking last week, Rooney revealed that he turned down the opportunity to be interviewed by the Blues’ hierarchy after the club approached his agent.
And now in an interview to publicise a new documentary about his life that is out next week, the 36-year-old has explained why he needed to remain loyal to Derby.
"I have been here now for over three years as player and manager and you build relationships up with players, first of all as team-mates, then as manager, and with staff," Rooney told the Mail on Sunday.
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"Everything I am asking of those players in terms of hard work, honesty, trust, commitment…if I was just to turn round and say 'I have had an offer, I'm off', I honestly couldn't do that to the players and the staff.
"I could see once Benitez was sacked and my name was getting linked with Everton that the staff were down and they were scared that if I left, where did that leave the club.
"I know they have been looking to me to try and help rebuild this club.
"I spoke to the staff and said, 'I am stood in front of you and I am with you. Whatever is being said out there, I am with you'. I think that was big for them."
