The hardest decision of my career! Wayne Rooney has spoken out about leaving Derby County

Wayne Rooney left Derby County last week. The 36-year-old Manchester United legend revealed that leaving as Derby boss was one of the hardest decisions he has ever made.

Rooney resigned last week just hours after the announcement came that Clowes Developments had been successful in buying Pride Park. The Englishman spent 18 months in charge of the club, having originally joined as a player from the American MLS.

On Wednesday afternoon, Rooney took to Instagram to thank all the players and staff for their support over the past three years, saying it was one of the hardest decisions of his career.

“A huge thank you to all the Derby County fans, players and staff for their support over the last three years. It was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my career,” Rooney wrote on his Twitter account.

“Thank you for welcoming me into your midst. Please support the next manager and give him what you gave me – trust, loyalty and incredible support. I have some great memories that I will never forget,” he added afterwards.

In his first coaching role, Rooney was praised by many pundits for his professionalism and ability to inspire a team that was in a precarious situation with serious doubts about its immediate future.

For a while, it seemed that Rooney could conjure up one of the greatest miracles in English football by leading Derby to salvation in the Championship, despite the fact that the union had deducted 21 points from the club.

But as it turned out, the gap was too big. Rooney, however, remained loyal to the club and said that if a buyer could be found, he would stay.

When Kirchner’s bid collapsed, the club was thrown into further uncertainty and Rooney himself, who had always stressed the need to save the football club, found himself in a quandary.

The Telegraph recently revealed that Rooney is the subject of an investigation by the English FA because he allegedly paid the wages for the month of May to all Derby County players and staff. The amount involved is approximately €1.8 million.

Sources: The Telegraph, Guardian, TheSun