Wayne Rooney has revealed he was not approached to become Frank Lampard's successor and believes Everton were always going to target an experienced manager as a replacement.
Sean Dyche was officially unveiled as the new boss of the Blues on Monday afternoon, taking the reins at Goodison Park on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
This appointment comes one year on from Frank Lampard's arrival on Merseyside, a job opening Rooney was again strongly linked with. The ex-Everton striker confirmed he turned down an interview for this position, pledging his commitment to Derby County as the main reason for rejecting this advance.
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Rumours linking Rooney with Everton were less intense on this occasion, with Dyche and Marcelo Bielsa emerging as the two frontrunners shortly after Lampard's dismissal. It now appears Rooney was not at all in the running, as reported by the Washington Post, having told journalists he was never approached.
Providing his own reaction to the Dyche deal, the ex-England international said: “It’s the club I grew up supporting and loving. They are going through a very difficult period in the club’s history, and they felt they had to change. Sean Dyche is very experienced. It was always going to be an experienced manager.”
Preparing to lead DC United in a new MLS season, Rooney's contract as coach of the American club is set to expire at the end of the campaign. There is, however, a club option to extend this for a further year.
“It was what I felt was right,” said the 37-year-old of his short-term deal. “There were questions I wanted to know the answers to from the owners: What players could we bring in and make sure I got what I wanted to build the squad?”
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