Wayne Rooney: Derby County boss turned down Everton approach

Wayne Rooney turned down the chance to talk withEverton because he wants to stay and help Derby out of the mess that threatens their existence.

Rooney was on a list of candidates.

Rooney said thatEverton approached his agent and asked him to interview for the job, but he turned them down.

It was a difficult decision. I think I will be a premier league manager.

If that comes with the team, great. I have a job at Derby, which is important to me.

Derby have been in administration since September and are currently in the bottom half of the table.

Paul Stretford, Rooney's long-time adviser, told the club's administrators that Rooney had decided to stay at Pride Park.

Rooney spoke to the administrators of Derby before his media conference.

Rooney did confirm that no players would be sold before the transfer deadline on Monday, despite the fact that he had not been given any further information about the announcement that Derby have been given an extra month to provide the Football League with detail about how they will fund the rest of the season.

There is interest in skipper Tom Lawrence from Bournemouth.

Rooney said he had spoken to Tom.

He has had a great season as the captain of the club. There is no problem with me and Tom.

The administrators assured me that he wouldn't be going. That is what it is.

Rooney repeated his plea for clarity over a preferred bidder for the club, although said the ongoing compensation claims from Middlesbrough and Wycombe, which threaten to land the club with a 60m bill, are a real stumbling block.

The sense of crisis around Derby has led fans to organize a protest march to Pride Park from the city centre.

Rooney said the message to the fans was to keep supporting the team.

We need assurances that the club can move forward quickly.