Wayne Rooney says he wants to be stubborn like Jose Mourinho as he makes the transition into football coaching and management.
The 34-year-old former England international joined Derby County as a player-coach on an 18-month contract in January.
Rooney under Mourinho: Five key things to know…
- Jose Mourinho was Wayne Rooney’s final manager at Man Utd.
- Rooney made 39 appearances under Mourinho, registering eight goals and 10 assists.
- His final months at Old Trafford saw him transition into a squad player.
- Together they won the 2017 League Cup and 2017 Europa League.
- Rooney says he wants to have a touch of Mourinho‘s “stubbornness” when he moves into management.
He’s since made 14 appearances under Phillip Cocu, who subsequently made him captain, registering four goals and creating two more for his teammates.
Before joining the Rams, the Liverpudlian forward enjoyed a spell with MLS outfit D.C. United, it was there he started to formulate plans for his life after hanging up his boots.
Since emerging in dramatic fashion, Rooney — a graduate of Everton‘s youth set-up — sits only behind Alan Shearer (260) in the Premier League‘s all-time top scorers list with 208 goals.
The vast majority of those strikes came at Manchester United, where he lifted five league titles and the 2008 Champions League. He was coached by four different men at Old Trafford — Sir Alex Ferguson, former Toffees coach David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho.
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After winning the 2017 Europa League title Rooney returned to Goodison Park, linking up with former Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce, before moving stateside.
When asked in an interview with The Times which qualities he would like to take from all the managers he has worked when he does move into the dugout on a permanent basis, Rooney said: “(Louis) van Gaal’s preparation, Fergie’s man-management, (Jose) Mourinho‘s stubbornness – I think sometimes you need that.
“Sam Allardyce knew what he wanted. You can only manage to the capabilities of your team and that’s what Sam has always done. Once I go into it I’m sure I’ll have my own way.”
The praise for Ferguson’s man management comes as no surprise but the comment regarding Mourinho is an intriguing one, as the current Spurs boss is often criticised by some sections of the media – and indeed fans – for his reluctance to adapt his methods.