Former Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has been denied the freedom of the city to Derby.
As confirmed by the BBC, Rooney will not be given freedom to the city after city councillors unanimously voted against giving him it.
The idea had been proposed in recognition for his efforts in trying to avoid relegation whilst he was first team manager at the club, after the Rams were given a 21 point deduction after being put in administration under former owner Mel Morris.
The plan had been scrapped at the beginning of the year but Derby City Council revived the plan earlier in November.
There was a meeting on Wednesday to discuss whether he should be given the freedom, but not a single one of the councillors offered to back a motion for Rooney to given it, so it has been withdrawn from consideration permanently.
How did the former boss do at Derby?
Rooney originally joined the Rams as a player-coach, joining from DC United in the MLS. he was then appointed interim player-manager of the club in November 2020 following the departure of previous manager Phillip Cocu.
It was then announced that he had been appointed permanent manager in January 2021. He then managed to steer Derby away from relegation that season.
However, Rooney could not avoid the drop to the third tier in the following season after they were deducted 21 points, as they ended up finishing second bottom, seven points adrift from safety.
Should Rooney have been given it?
As good of a job Rooney did despite the deductions and the ongoings outside of the club, he probably does not deserve it.
If he had steered Derby away from relegation then a bigger case could definitely be made for him being given freedom to the city.
But he did not, so itis probably the correct decision by the council. There are more successful people that should be recognised for their efforts in the city.