Wayne Rooney would like to reunite with West Ham United coach Alan Irvine if he takes over from Phillip Cocu at Derby County but, according to TEAMtalk, Steve McClaren could make a shock return to Pride Park instead.
In an ideal world, Rams owner Mel Morris would be handing over the managerial reins to his 35-year-old talisman a season or two down the line.
But a disastrous start to the 2020/21 season means Rooney’s time in management could come sooner than anyone expected if Morris decides to dispense with Cocu’s services.
Derby were supposed to challenge for the top six in Cocu’s second year at the helm but, seven games into the new Championship campaign, the East Midland giants are stuck in the relegation zone, throwing away two valuable points in Friday’s draw with bitter rivals Nottingham Forest.
According to TEAMtalk, however, Rooney wants an experienced head alongside him if he is suddenly thrust into the Derby hot seat as Cocu’s replacement.
The former Manchester United captain worked with Steve McClaren in the England national team and the pair could be reunited at Pride Park, with the latter out of work and looking to get back into the game.
McClaren, of course, knows Derby like the back of his hand too.
He enjoyed two mixed spells in charge of the Rams between 2013 and 2017, suffering play-off final heartbreak to Queens Park Rangers at Wembley six years ago.
The report adds that Rooney would also like to work with his former Everton coach Irvine again but the gravel-voiced Scot is currently a key part of David Moyes’ backroom staff at in-form West Ham United.
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