Wayne Rooney faces competition for Derby manager’s job from former England team-mate John Terry, with former Chelsea captain and Aston Villa No 2 impressing prospective new owner Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan
- Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan is close to a takeover of struggling Derby
- Sources near him believe John Terry is the right man to take the club forward
- However current interim boss Wayne Rooney has expressed interest in the role
John Terry is a contender to be the next Derby manager, with key figures among the club’s prospective new owners impressed by the former England captain.
Terry has never been a No 1, but there are those close to Sheik Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan — near to completing a £60million takeover of the bottom club in the Championship — who believe Terry would be able to revive Derby’s fortunes.
The 39-year-old is part of Dean Smith’s coaching staff at Aston Villa but is keen to move into management.
Aston Villa assistant John Terry is reportedly in contention for the permanent Derby job
Former England centre back Terry (left) was booked during Villa’s 2-1 defeat by West Ham
Derby are currently led by Wayne Rooney, who heads a four-man interim coaching team, in charge since the sacking of Phillip Cocu in November.
Rooney is keen to take the job permanently but is happy to return to playing if he misses out on the job.
‘I’ve told (the players) to still call me “Wazza” for the time being,’ he smiled.
‘If I get the job on a long-term basis, they can call me what they want.’
Wayne Rooney is currently serving as Derby interim manager and is keen on the full-time job