Former Manchester United winger Nani has told Khelnow how Derby County boss Wayne Rooney was one of the best players in his position and tips him to become a quality coach.
Rooney is United’s and England’s all-time top scorer in a trophy-laded career.
The 35-year-old played alongside a host of top players, with Nani among them as the Portuguese winger won 12 trophies including four Premier League titles at Old Trafford.
Rooney departed United in 2017 and had spells at Everton and in the MLS with DC United before joining Derby in an initial playing role in January 2020.
The former 120-capped England international has since hung up his boots to become Derby’s manager full-time following the dismissal of Phillip Cocu earlier in the campaign.
Speaking to Khelnow, Nani predicts Rooney will become a top coach.
“Wayne Rooney was a great player, one of the best in the world in his position. As a coach, he is still very young. But he has the base as a soccer player. I’m sure with time he will produce his qualities on the field as a coach,” Nani explained.
Rooney has so far shown he can be a big success in management.
Derby were bottom of the Championship when he took over, winning just once all season. But since taking sole charge, Rooney has guided the Rams to 18th in the table.
Rooney’s current record as sole boss is nine wins, five draws and six defeats from 20 league games, scoring 20 and conceding 17. He has taken Derby on top six form.
There have been a few hiccups along the way such as heavy defeats at Rotherham United and Cardiff City, but generally Derby have been much more solid keeping nine clean sheets.
Rooney has shown how he can adapt, changing systems to match up and counter the opposition while rotating the side to keep players fresh in what is a busy schedule.
There has been an evident improvement at Pride Park. The next step is to assure Derby’s safety and then look to improve the squad this summer with change on the horizon.
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