MX23RW : Thursday, May 23 21:20:34| >> :600:174022:174022:

Wayne Rooney to assist Derby preparations after Phillip Cocu departure

Wayne Rooney to assist Derby preparations after Phillip Cocu departure
© Reuters
Derby have managed just six points this season and sit bottom of the table

Wayne Rooney will help Derby prepare for their next Sky Bet Championship fixture after the international break following the departure of manager Phillip Cocu.

Dutchman Cocu took over as Rams boss during the summer of 2019, when Frank Lampard had left for Chelsea.

However, Derby have managed just six points this season, and sit bottom of the table.

Assistant manager Chris Van Der Weerden and specialist first-team coach Twan Scheepers have also left their roles.

Following confirmation of Cocu's departure by mutual consent, former England captain Rooney revealed he had been asked to help the squad prepare for the trip to Bristol City on November 21.

Former Everton and Manchester United forward Rooney joined the Rams during the January transfer window as the 35-year-old looked to take his first steps into coaching while also continuing his playing career.

A fine free-kick from Wayne Rooney against Norwich helped secure Derby their only victory so far of the Championship season
A fine free-kick from Wayne Rooney against Norwich helped secure Derby their only victory so far of the Championship season (Adam Davy/PA)

"I am sorry that Phillip and his staff have left the club and want to thank him personally for all his help and encouragement as part of his coaching staff," Rooney said in a statement released to the PA news agency.

"The most important thing now is to stabilise the club and start moving up the table. I have been asked to be part of the coaching staff to help the team's preparations for next Saturday's vital match against Bristol City.

"The coaches and I will speak with the players on Monday."

Derby thanked Cocu for his contribution to the club, on and off the pitch.

Dutchman Phillip Cocu was not able to turn things around after a poor start to the new campaign
Dutchman Phillip Cocu was not able to turn things around after a poor start to the new campaign (Mike Egerton/PA)

"Phillip and his staff helped develop and establish a considerable number of academy players in to the first-team squad and Phillip made significant financial contributions and personal efforts towards the club's community projects during the Covid-19 pandemic, which the club are extremely grateful for," a statement on the club's official website read.

"Derby County wishes to thank Phillip, Chris and Twan for their hard work and dedication over the last 16 months and wish them every success in their future careers.

"The club will provide further updates when appropriate and will be making no further comment in the meantime."

Earlier in November, Derby confirmed a deal had been agreed "in principle" for the sale of the club to Derventio Holdings, which is owned by Sheikh Khaled Zayed Bin Saquer Zayed Al Nayhan, a member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family.

Sheikh Khaled is the cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the deal to buy Derby is reported to be in the region of £60million.

Former PSV boss Cocu, meanwhile, said it had been agreed it was "in the best interests of all parties" for him to leave the club.

In a statement on Instagram, the former Barcelona midfielder said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club including the board, staff and all of the players for their fantastic support for me since arriving at Pride Park.

"Although this season has not gone as we all would have liked so far on the pitch, I believe passionately in the project that we started to build and I have no doubt that the future is bright for the club.

"I wish everyone associated with the club the very best both on and off the pitch, particularly with the 'Stay Safe, Stay Fit, Stay Connected' project that I am very proud of to have initiated.

"Finally, I'd like to say a huge thank you to the most important people of the club, the fans.

"Thank you for welcoming me to your club and for all of the support you've shown to me and the team. I wish you all the very best."

ID:422306: cacheID:422306:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:16579:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Derby County manager Phillip Cocu pictured on October 20, 2020
Read Next:
Phillip Cocu leaves Derby County by mutual consent
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPortsmouth462813578413797
3Bolton WanderersBolton462512986513587
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough462591289612884
5Oxford UnitedOxford Utd4622111379562377
6Barnsley4621131282641876
7Lincoln CityLincoln4620141265402574
8Blackpool4621101565481773
9Stevenage4619141357461171
10Wycombe WanderersWycombe461714156055565
11Leyton Orient461811175355-265
12Wigan AthleticWigan462010166356762
13Exeter CityExeter461710194661-1561
14Northampton TownNorthampton46179205766-960
15Bristol Rovers46169215268-1657
16Charlton AthleticCharlton461120156465-153
17Reading461611196870-253
18Cambridge UnitedCambridge461212223961-2248
19Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury46139243567-3248
20Burton Albion461210243967-2846
RCheltenham TownCheltenham46128264165-2444
RFleetwood TownFleetwood461013234972-2343
RPort Vale461011254174-3341
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle4679304181-4030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!