Wayne Rooney explains why he rejected Everton approach

"I believe I will be a Premier League manager and I am ready for that 100 per cent."

Wayne Rooney has revealed he turned down an approach from boyhood club Everton for the vacant managerial role. Rooney revealed the news during his press conference on Friday ahead of current club Derby County's game against Birmingham City. He admitted that whilst he feels ready to take on a top-flight managerial role, his priority is his current role.

Wayne Rooney explains why he rejected Everton approach.

"Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the vacant job, which I turned down," Rooney said at a pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of Derby's game against Birmingham on Saturday. "I believe that I will be a Premier League manager and I believe I'm ready for that 100 per cent, and if that is with Everton one day in the future that'd be absolutely great. "But I've got a job here to do at Derby County which is an important job to me." Rooney was asked if it was a difficult decision to reject the approach from Everton, the club he has supported all his life and played for across two spells. The Derby manager said he gave the approach some consideration, before deciding to remain at Pride Park. "Yes, of course, I did [think hard about it]. They got in touch with my agent and my agent let the administrators know as well. Of course, it was a very difficult decision for me."

Everton's search for a manager goes on.

Further reports from The Athletic have said that another round of interviews were scheduled on Friday, with Frank Lampard and Vitor Pereira under consideration for the role at Goodison Park. The latter spectacularly went on Sky Sports earlier in the week, where he outlined his vision for the club, whilst also giving a brief insight into the interview just days after supporters protested rumours he may be appointed. Current caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson is also said to be in consideration, with owner Farhad Moshiri hoping to have an appointment in time for next weekend's game against Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round.