Former Everton player Wayne Rooney has revealed that he was not approached to succeed Frank Lampard as manager at Goodison Park, despite reports to the contrary.
Lampard lasted around a year at the Toffees, but after a horrendous first half to the campaign, the ex-Chelsea boss was relieved of his duties with Everton slumped 19th in the Premier League table and without a win since last October.
With countless managers linked with taking up the vacant position, including former Leeds United coach Marcelo Bielsa and DC United manager Wayne Rooney, Sean Dyche was appointed by the club on Monday afternoon, signing a 2-and-a-half-year deal.
Rooney has regularly seen his name linked with a second return to Goodison Park, this time in a managerial capacity, and was first rumoured to replace the outgoing Rafael Benitez back in January 2022, before Everton appointed his ex-England teammate Frank Lampard.
Following Lampard’s dismissal, the Everton academy graduate was tipped as a potential manager once more, though the 37-year-old insists that no contact was made regarding the role.
Rooney stated, “It’s the club I grew up supporting and loving. They are going through a very difficult period in the club’s history, and they felt they had to change.
“Sean Dyche is very experienced. It was always going to be an experienced manager.”
It seems inevitable that Rooney will eventually make his managerial debut in the Premier League at some point, but Everton cannot afford to give an inexperienced coach time to adapt to the demands of England’s top division.
In Everton’s current situation, Sean Dyche was probably the best person for the job out of those available, though we will likely see Rooney linked with a return to Merseyside the next time the manager’s job comes up.
Meanwhile, Dyche will be preparing for his Goodison debut, with league leaders Arsenal visiting on Saturday.