Wayne Rooney deserves the opportunity to manage Everton following his impressive work with Derby County, according to Louis Saha.
Everton are looking for a new manager after sacking Rafa Benitez on Sunday following the Toffees’ 2-1 defeat by Norwich City, which left them in 16th place, six points above the relegation zone.
Duncan Ferguson has been installed as caretaker boss and will take charge of the team’s Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Rooney is among the candidates to succeed Benitez permanently, with former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, Brighton ’s Graham Potter and Roma’s Jose Mourinho all mentioned in reports.
According to The Sun, Everton owner Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright will interview Rooney, who has led Derby to four wins from their last five league games to move the crisis-hit club off the bottom of the Championship.
Former Everton striker Saha, who played alongside Rooney at Manchester United, believes the 36-year-old has earned his chance to take over a Premier League club and can emulate Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
“I have full confidence that Wayne Rooney would be ready to return to his boyhood club. Look at the job that he is doing at Derby in unbelievably tough conditions,” he told Genting Casino.
“He would need to have the right team around him to help him step-up. With all due respect to Derby County, managing Everton is a big leap but a magnificent challenge.
“We know that Wayne Rooney wants to win in whatever he does. As a manager, he will want to test himself at the highest level and will be ready for the challenge.
“I'm confident he would be successful because of his pedigree as a player and also as a person. He's smart, dedicated and he knows the club inside and out – this is his boyhood club – he has the tattoo!
“I honestly think he would be a perfect match for the club. He can create the right foundation for the club to improve.
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“I'm not talking about Wayne like this because I played with him. It is because I believe he is ready to do it.
“He won't come with an ego as a manager because he is still learning the role. He will come as Wayne. If Mikel Arteta has done it with Arsenal, then Wayne Rooney can do it with Everton.”
Martinez was initially thought to be Everton’s first-choice, but the Belgian FA have so far refused to consider an approach for the Spaniard, who was Goodison chief from 2013 to 2016.
Rooney has been in charge at Derby since November 2020, guiding the Rams through an extremely difficult time beset by financial problems.
Having narrowly escaped relegation on the final day last season, Derby are currently in 23rd place in the Championship, eight points from safety.
That is despite having been handed a 21-point deduction for historical financial breaches under former owner Mel Morris.
