Could Wayne Rooney leave DC United for Everton?
Wayne Rooney turned down the opportunity to speak to Everton in January last year when he was the manager of Derby County. However, the Toffees are expected to be on the hunt for a new manager soon.
Former New York City FC manager, Frank Lampard, is currently in charge of Everton but he is under a lot of pressure. Everton has been on a dismal run of form and is in the relegation zone of the Premier League.
According to The Sun, “Rooney may get a second chance to become Everton manager — with Frank Lampard’s position hanging by a thread. The former Goodison prodigy is on supremo Farhad Moshiri’s list of potential candidates to replace Lampard.”
Is it the right time to leave DC United?
Rooney is set to embark on his first full season at DC United. At the end of last year’s MLS campaign, he posted on Instagram saying, “preparation for 2023 is already underway!” However, if he turns down another opportunity to manage Everton, then the opportunity may not come again.
His record at DC is not the best with a win percentage of just 14.3. They finished bottom of the Eastern Conference last season, so Rooney will have a tough job if he stays in MLS.
However, they have recruited some talented players from Europe including Christian Benteke and Ravel Morrison. Fabrizio Romano has also announced that the Black-and-Red are set to sign Mateusz Klich from Leeds United.
Rooney is building a good squad ahead of the upcoming MLS season, so it would be a shame if he was to return to England. He has left DC before to become a player-coach at Derby and has spoken in the past of his desire to manage at the highest level. Therefore he will likely return to the Premier League at some point.
Who else is in contention for the Everton job?
Rooney is a former player at Everton, so would be a hit with the fans as he knows the club well. He was one of the best forwards of his generation in the World, which would gain him instant respect from his players.
The Telegraph has revealed that there are other options for the Blues. Their former boss Roberto Martinez has left Belgium and could be open for a return. Another ex-player in Duncan Ferguson has also been linked. Ferguson has been assistant and caretaker manager at the club so has experience in the Goodison Park dugout. Former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo and former Burnley manager Sean Dyche could also be options.
Lampard is likely to take charge of their FA Cup match against Manchester United today. This is similar to how he lost his last job at Chelsea when he was dismissed following a tie against Luton Town in the same competition.
Everton’s next two league matches are must-win games against Southampton and West Ham United. This follows two tough games against Arsenal and Liverpool. It is a tough run of games, but a new manager bounce could be exactly what they need.