FILE - In this Thursday, March 5, 2020 file photo, Derby's Wayne Rooney looks on, during the FA Cup fifth round soccer match between Derby County and Manchester United at Pride Park in Derby, England. Rooney now has the Derby job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer received a contract through 2023 to manage the second division team and retired from playing, it was reported on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge in November of Derby, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)
The Associated Press
All-time record scorer for England and Manchester United. A haul of 16 trophies. Wayne Rooney's illustrious playing career is over.
The former England and United captain has decided it's time to focus on trying to replicate his successes as a striker in management.
After taking temporary charge of Derby in November - as a player-coach - the 35-year-old Rooney has accepted the manager's job on a permanent basis with the second division club through 2023.
'œIt's a great feeling to go into management full-time,'ť Rooney said on Friday. 'œIt's something that I've been preparing for, working for for a few years now. Obviously had a taste of it over the last couple of months and I've enjoyed it."
Rooney has enjoyed three victories and four draws in his nine games at the helm of Derby, which remains in the relegation zone.
It's been 13 years since Derby played in the Premier League - a competition Rooney won five times after joining United from Everton at age 18 along with tasting glory in the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup and Community Shield.
'œI've had a great career, I've enjoyed every minute," Rooney said. 'œSome ups, some downs, I wouldn't change anything I've done in my career as a player."
It was often a tempestuous playing career, with the fiery Rooney embroiled in controversies in his private life and hot-headedness in games.
It is experience he will be able to draw on while nurturing future talents.
At United, Rooney worked under the greatest British manager of all-time in Alex Ferguson. With England, he witnessed more of the instabilities of coaching as a talented group of players never came close to winning a trophy.
'œHopefully I can now start to write some history and have a successful managerial career,'ť Rooney said.
Rooney, just like at United with his 253 goals, overtook 1966 World Cup winner Bobby Charlton as England's record scorer by netting 53 times in 120 appearances - the last in 2018 at Wembley Stadium against the United States.
'œHe did it all," former United and England teammate Rio Ferdinand said. "He scored a ridiculous amount of goals, scored absolute bangers from anywhere on the pitch, great passer, aggressive, passion, desire, work rate, team player, sacrificed part of his game for others.
'œHe had the lot and he won loads. What a player. Now that he has retired people will start appreciating him for who he is and what he was as a player because I don't think he gets the respect he deserves."
Rooney returned to England after a stint at DC United to last January, and joined Derby as a player-coach.
'œDespite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me,'ť Rooney said. 'œI can promise everyone involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club.'ť
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FILE - In this Thursday, June 19, 2014 file photo England's Wayne Rooney celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the group D World Cup soccer match between Uruguay and England at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005 file photo, Manchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates after scoring his second goal against Portsmouth during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England. Rooney now has the Derby job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer received a contract through 2023 to manage the second division team and retired from playing, it was reported on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge in November of Derby, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - This is a Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 file photo of former Manchester United and England player Bobby Charlton, left, with Manchester United and England Player Wayne Rooney, as Rooney receives a golden boot trophy from Charlton, after Rooney broke his goal scoring record, ahead of the Euro 2016 Group E qualifying soccer match between England and Estonia at Wembley stadium in London. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 file photo Manchester United's Wayne Rooney has a shot toward's goal past West Bromwich Albion's Liam Ridgewell during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Tuesday March 4, 2008 file photo Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Wayne Rooney against Lyon during their Champions League second round soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Sunday March 23, 2008 file photo Manchester United's Wayne Rooney controls the ball against Liverpool during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Saturday, July 1, 2006 file photo Referee Horacio Elizondo issues a red card to England's Wayne Rooney, right, in the quarterfinal World Cup soccer match between England and Portugal in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005 file photo Wayne Rooney of Manchester United, left, jokes with his coach Alex Ferguson during a training session at the Stade de France stadium, outside Paris. Lille will face Manchester United Wednesday in a European Champions League match. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005 file photo Manchester United and England soccer player Wayne Rooney, left, reacts toward referee Kim Milton Nielsen from Denmark after receiving a yellow card and soon after a red one for his reaction during a Champions League soccer match against Villarreal in Villarreal, Spain. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Tomohiko Suzui, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Wednesday April 2, 2003 file photo England's Wayne Rooney, right, tussles with Buruk Okan of Turkey, during their UEFA Euro 2004 soccer championship qualifying game in Sunderland, England. Wayne Rooney now has the Derby County job on a permanent basis after England's record goal-scorer retired from playing and received a contract through 2023 to manage the second tier team. The 35-year-old former Manchester United captain, who took temporary charge of Derby in November, is now focusing on his coaching career. (AP Photo/Dave Caulkin, File)
The Associated Press