3/1 To Win
Liam Rosenior has admitted he has learnt ‘so much’ from manager Wayne Rooney in the most testing of circumstances at Derby County.
Rosenior, who is Rooney’s assistant manager on the coaching staff, believes the Derby boss has handled everything that has been thrown at him in recent weeks in an exemplary manner.
The club entered administration in September and were deducted 12 points by the EFL, which saw the side drop from the cusp of the play-off places to the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Rosenior believes Rooney, who enjoyed a superb playing career at the highest level for club and country before hanging up his boots earlier this year to become Derby’s manager, has stepped up to lead the staff and players - and the club’s supporters - through difficult circumstances.
Rooney guided the Rams to safety on the last day of the 2020/21 season after taking charge of the side at the bottom of the table at the end of November 2020.
While his leadership credentials have been tested to not just matters on the pitch this term, Rosenior believes the manager has shown his managerial qualities right across the board.
Speaking to RamsTV before the international break, Rosenior said: “The manager has been outstanding, and I have tried to support him as much as I can.
“The best thing I can say about Wayne is that he has been himself; he is always genuine and authentic to himself.
“He has had a lot of experience over his career both on and off the pitch, absolutely everything, but he has remained calm, measured and in control.
“Wayne is intelligent with people. He cares about them as well and he has been able to show that side to him in such a difficult time.
“He doesn’t change when he’s doing a press conference, when he is doing a team talk or when he is addressing the staff in terms of a tough moment when the club went into administration.”
He added: “I have learnt so much from Wayne in terms of how he has dealt with the pressure of the situation we are in.”
Rooney and Rosenior are joined on the coaching team with First Team Development Coach Justin Walker and Head Goalkeeping Coach Jason Pearcey.
Rosenior says the staff are thriving in managing the players, who he says have performed superbly, in a unique set of circumstances.
Derby entered the October international break with one defeat in five games and remain unbeaten at Pride Park Stadium in the league this term with two wins and four draws to their name.
“I am really proud of everyone,” Rosenior said. “Wayne, myself, Justin Walker and Jason Pearcey are trying to manage the group in a difficult time and we’re all thriving in it.
“We are able to show what we are about and what we believe in.
“The players have been brilliant in how they’ve handled things and performed on the pitch.”
Derby return to league action after the international break with a trip to Preston North End on Saturday 16th October (3pm kick-off).
