Derby manager Wayne Rooney: I turned down Everton interview, not ready

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Wayne Rooney said he turned down an opportunity to interview for the position of manager at Everton.

After six months in charge at Goodison Park, Rafa Benitez was sacked earlier this month.

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Rooney said on Friday that his agent was contacted by his former club but he turned it down because he was focused on Derby.

Rooney said thatEverton approached his agent and asked him to interview for the job.

I turned it down. I think I will be a manager in the premier league. I have a job at Derby, which is important to me.

Derby have been deducted 21 points by the EFL for entering administration, historical breeches of financial rules, and proceedings to mitigate financial insolvency, leaving them eight points adrift of safety.

Keeping Derby up would be Rooney's biggest achievement in football.

According to sources, Roberto Martinez is the leading candidate to become the new manager ofEverton, while Frank Lampard and Vitor Pereira are also on the list.