Derby boss Wayne Rooney backed by ex-Man United team-mate Louis Saha to enjoy great career as a boss

Derby boss Wayne Rooney is destined for ‘great things as a manager’, according to his former Manchester United team-mate Louis Saha.

The former England striker has had an incredibly difficult start to his managerial career amid Derby’s financial woes, but has maintained his cool among the whole sorry saga.

The 36-year-old is battling to achieve the near-impossible and keep Derby in the Championship, despite a 21-point deduction after going into administration and for historical financial breaches under former owner Mel Morris.

Rooney has had a tough start to managerial life, with Derby six months into administration 

But ex-France striker Saha has praised Rooney as a ‘tough cookie’ and believes he is destined for a ‘bigger’ role, not least because he possesses the key quality of ’empathy’ that legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson demonstrated at Old Trafford. 

‘It’s a hard job for him at Derby but he’s a tough cookie,’ Saha told The Mirror. ‘I don’t know him as a manager but what I see in terms of his engagement, he’s class.

‘I’ve seen some interviews and some really passionate body language on the touchline. And he’s got a lot of empathy, which is really important.

‘This allows you to really see the weakness and strength of a player and then you’re able to decide how to help.

But Saha (front) has praised his ex-Manchester United team-mate Rooney as a ‘tough cookie’

‘If you don’t have empathy and you just ask someone to do what you require, you don’t move forward.

‘That was the main quality of Sir Alex Ferguson, so for that and so many aspects I think Wayne will do great. I think he’s up for great things as a manager.

‘No disrespect to Derby but I think when he gets another opportunity with a so-called bigger club, I think he will show great quality because he’s very smart and dedicated.’ 

But things at Pride Park continue to look bleak, with fans demanding answers from administrators Quantuma as to why they are dithering over choosing a buyer to save the club almost six months after the club slid into administration.

Saha believes Rooney shows empathy much like their former boss Sir Alex Ferguson (left)

Supporters’ patience is wafer thin after repeated false dawns and the latest update from the EFL which said ‘significant hurdles still remain’ before a preferred bidder is announced.

‘No-one wants us in the Championship next season,’ railed Rooney, as he lamented refereeing decisions in Derby’s 1-0 loss at Cardiff City on Tuesday night.

Second bottom and eight points from safety, Rooney is preparing his team for a crucial encounter with Barnsley on Saturday, who are one place above them.

On Wednesday, the EFL claimed the ‘very future’ of Derby was under threat only to announce on Thursday that Quantuma’s ‘forecast showed the club has sufficient cash’ to finish the season.

Derby were deducted 21 points for historical financial breaches under ex-owner Mel Morris