Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has told Talksport how he is certain Wayne Rooney will be appointed Derby County manager to replace Phillip Cocu.

Cocu’s time at Derby unfortunately seems to be coming at an end.

The Dutchman has been a classy, calm and assuring figure during his spell at Pride Park. He deserves plenty of recognition after overcoming numerous setbacks.

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The results this season, however, simply aren’t good enough. Derby are bottom of the Championship table, with just six points and five goals scored from 11 games.

The impending takeover may prompt the club’s new owners to bring their own manager in.

And Jamie Carragher suggests Rooney is all-but certain to get the job.

There’s no doubt for me, Wayne Rooney will be [the] manager of Derby County next. That was one of the big reasons why he came in. His understanding of football is fantastic. There’s no doubt for me he will go into management. It just seems like the next natural phase for Derby. They’re struggling near the bottom and eventually the manager will probably lose his job, unfortunately for him, and I think it’s all set for Wayne to take the job.

Rooney joined Derby first and foremost as a player in January 2020.

The former England all-time top scorer is a natural leader. He took over the Derby captaincy upon joining, and he seemingly acts as the bridge between manager and players.

Rooney has ambitions to become a manager. And a report in the Daily Mail last month claimed the 35-year-old was being groomed to take over from struggling Phillip Cocu.

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The report even went as far as suggesting Rooney had already eyed up his potential coaching staff. Many supporters feel his presence has undermined Cocu.

But with results going the way they are, a change appears to be on the horizon.

Also see: Derby ace shares if he was close to joining Celtic in August after wanting Bhoys move

Also see: Report: Derby and West Brom could target PL number two as new manager

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