Wayne Rooney hopes Mel Morris doesn't get upset over the club's demise.
The Rams will play in the third tier for the first time since 1986 after a defeat by Queens Park Rangers.
Derby is still in administration, having been placed there by Morris.
Rooney told the radio station that he hopes he doesn't have a good night's sleep tonight.
I think he needs to think about it.
It was a complete mess when the club was left. Mel Morris is a big Derby fan, so I am sure he sat at home tonight disappointed.
We are disappointed as we have done everything we can to prevent this from happening and worked very hard.
When Derby were placed into administration, they were docked 12 points and dropped from 12th to the foot of the table.
When they were hit with a further nine-point deduction in November, they were still bottom of the division.
Without the 21-point deduction, the Rams would be 17th in the table and almost as close to the play-off places as the other teams.
Rooney said that they have earned enough points to stay in the division next season.
The future of the club looks bright. We need to get over what happened.
It is a sad day. I am sad, disappointed, frustrated, but proud.
It has been a lot of work to try and galvanise the squad and the club.
Rooney ended his illustrious playing career in the Championship with Derby last season after taking on the Rams job on a permanent basis.
He steered them to safety on the last day of the season, but was unable to repeat the feat in his first full season in charge.
During Derby's high-profile battle for Championship survival and their efforts to remain in business, the former forward has impressed with his ability to produce results with a team in crisis and at a time of concern for the club's future.
He was linked with theEverton job in January and is now being mentioned with regard to the vacancies at Burnley and Derby.
Rooney, who has more than a year remaining on his contract at Derby, said he is excited about the challenge next season.
I know what players I want to bring in in League One and I need to be able to get that moving quickly to make sure we have the best chance of coming straight back up.
I am excited to get my teeth into it and bring in players I want, try to develop them and be a successful team.
I want to rebuild this club. The takeover has to happen.
The business plan for the club will be given to the EFL for approval on Friday, according to American Kirchner, who was selected as the club's preferred bidder earlier this month.
We anticipate a quick approval from them as they have been very supportive in helping us to be in a position to close the deal.
He wants to satisfy the rules of the English Football League when paying the club's debts.
The ground still owned by Morris is the subject of unanswered questions.
Derby only have five players under contract for next season and Rooney said 40 will need to be signed in all.
Tom Lawrence is one of the players out of contract.
He was sent off for a second time in the game against Queens Park Rangers, which led to a late winner by Luke Amos.
The Rams were consigned to the drop with three games to go after an injury time goal for Reading in their 4-4 draw withSwansea.
Lawrence said that they wanted to take it to the last game, but it wasn't meant to be.
Everyone in Derby County is united together.
I'm struggling for words for what to say but I'm super-proud of everyone and the fans.
We have been up against it all season, and the way everyone is united as one has been special.
I am gutted for the fans, but better days are coming.
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