Wayne Rooney Next Job Odds: Who Will He Manage After Derby?
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Wayne Rooney has left Derby County and the list of his possible next managerial club shows that betting sites are not entirely sure where England’s record goalscorer will end up next.
Rooney did an admirable job in difficult circumstances at Pride Park. Keeping Derby in the Championship after a 21-point deduction last season would have been a phenomenal achievement, particularly for someone in his first managerial job.
Rooney was not quite able to keep the Rams’ heads above water in the second tier, but they came much closer to staying up than anyone had anticipated.
With a long-awaited takeover expected to go through in the coming days, Derby can finally begin looking forward again. But their attempt to return to the Championship will not be led by Rooney, who announced his decision to resign as the club’s manager earlier this week.
Where will he end up next? Rooney was approached by at least one Premier League side last season, and there could be interest in him from ambitious Championship outfits too.
Let’s consider the odds and then analyse some of the potential destinations.
Boyhood Everton Fan Could End Up Back At Goodison
When Everton parted ways with Rafael Benitez last season, they offered the job to Rooney.
The Toffees board had been hugely impressed with his work at Derby, who were also involved in their own relegation battle at the time.
With Everton’s Premier League place under threat, Rooney was identified as a man who could first keep them in the division, then ensure they steered clear of the drop zone in future.
However, Rooney rejected his boyhood club. That was in part because he felt he had unfinished business in the East Midlands. Another reason was the state of Everton, as the club has been poorly run for years now.
At that point demotion was a distinct possibility. Rooney appeared to conclude that a move to Goodison Park was not in his best interests.
Nevertheless, Everton are the 7/4 favourites on football betting sites to appoint Rooney next. The fact he is now out of work would make it easier to strike a deal, but a strong start to the season under Frank Lampard would force Rooney to look elsewhere.
Newcastle Do Not Want To Waste Time On Path To Top
Newcastle were one of the strongest teams in the Premier League in the second half of last season.
Only Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur accumulated more points in 2022. The Magpies went from relegation contenders to the sanctuary of mid-table within the space of a few months.
Significant investment in the January transfer window was one of the main elements for their drastic improvement. Another was the work of Eddie Howe.
The former Bournemouth boss made his new side harder to beat, but also got them playing attractive football. With the club’s Saudi Arabian owners happy to spend more money this summer, European qualification could be the goal next term.
The Saudis are ambitious though, and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Howe could lose his job if Newcastle underperform. Rooney is a 13/2 shot with Paddy Power to end up at St James’ Park next.
Leicester And Southampton Endured Difficult Seasons In 2021/22
Another way to look at this market is to consider which managers are likely to fall in the Premier League’s Sack Race.
Rooney will no doubt be a candidate for any positions that come up between now and Christmas, and his preference would surely be to secure a role in the top flight.
Leicester and Southampton both endured disappointing seasons last time out in the Premier League.
Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhuttl retain the backing of their respective owners for now, but things could change if their teams start the upcoming campaign slowly. Both clubs are priced at 9/1 on betting apps.
Rodgers perhaps has a better chance of retaining his job given that Leicester ended 2021/22 well, so Southampton looks like the more astute choice here. Leeds, who could fall into a similar bracket, are listed at 10/1.
Could Rooney Return To The Championship Straight Away?
It is by no means a given that Rooney’s next job will be in the Premier League.
He is still a relatively inexperienced coach and top-tier chairmen are often risk-averse if their side is in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle. Rooney could therefore be back in the Championship next term.
Norwich City (14/1) and Burnley (16/1) are two of the leading contenders with Betfair. Both teams will be looking to secure an instant return to the Premier League after relegation last season.
Norwich should give Dean Smith time given his track record of success in the second division, but the Clarets could eject Vincent Kompany from the hot seat within a few months if he fails to do the business.
Rooney would no doubt be towards the top of Burnley’s shortlist should they be on the lookout for a new boss.
MLS And Manchester United Unlikely For Different Reasons
Rooney moved to MLS towards the end of his playing career, and he is priced at 10/1 to return to the United States as his next managerial move. That feels unlikely, though.
DC United was an excellent destination as Rooney prepared to wind down his playing days, but it would not be so desirable as he strives to prove himself as a coach.
A move to Man Utd, available at 16/1, is improbable for a different reason. Rooney has openly stated that it is his ambition to manage the club he represented with such distinction between 2004 and 2017, but that surely will not happen any time soon.
Erik ten Hag is likely to be in charge at Old Trafford for at least two years, and appointing someone with no top-flight coaching experience would be a huge risk for United.
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