Derby County coach Wayne Rooney ultimately failed to keep his club in the Championship (English second division), a mission made almost impossible by a withdrawal of 21 points for financial mismanagement. Rams’ 1-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers on Monday afternoon combined with Reading’s draw at home to Swansea 4-4 has officially relegated the club coached by former glory Manchester United.
The situation had become very complicated for the Midlands club after the withdrawal of points and its placement in receivership in September. Derby, who are still waiting to be decided on their fate off the field, would currently sit 17th in the 24-team Championship, far from the relegation zone, if no points had been subtracted from them.
In January, Rooney turned down an interview for the coaching job at his parent club, Everton, saying he had “a job to do at Derby”. Fulham and Bournemouth are currently in a position to return to the Premier League, ten and six points respectively ahead of third-placed Huddersfield.
