DC United hint at Wayne Rooney stay amid Everton links by hiring ex-Derby analyst Luke Jenkinson
>
Is this proof that Rooney is staying in Washington? DC United hire Luke Jenkinson, who worked with their manager at Derby, as director of performance in a strong indication that the Man United legend will stick around despite links to Everton.
DC United have provided the strongest hint yet into Wayne Rooney’s future by signing Luke Jenkinson, who previously worked alongside him at Derby County, as their new first-team director of performance.
Rooney has been regularly linked with a return to the Premier League during his six-month spell in charge of DC, where he won just two of 14 games last season.
The former England captain recently shut down talks of a return to Everton, where he burst onto the scene aged 16, however his boyhood club’s decision to sack Frank Lampard on Monday means he is now being touted as a replacement. potential.
sports mail It is understood that former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is the Toffees’ number one choice to succeed Lampard, however, while the likes of Sean Dyche and David Moyes are also believed to be in the running.
DC United have provided a strong hint at the future of Wayne Rooney (right) by hiring Luke Jenkinson (left) as first team director of performance.
Rooney has been linked with a return to Everton after Frank Lampard was sacked (pictured)
And DC has suggested that Rooney is going nowhere by hiring Jenkinson as performance director, with the pair’s “close relationship” said to be a key factor in bringing him over from Derby.
Jenkinson spent over six years with the England team in a number of roles, including director of sport science and director of performance. He spent around 18 months working alongside Rooney before the latter’s departure in June last year.
“Bringing Luke to the club as chief performance officer is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class leadership to the first team,” said DC United president of soccer operations Dave Kasper.
“His close relationship with Wayne at Derby County will be valuable to us and we look forward to integrating his experience and knowledge of football to ensure our players are physically fit for the 2023 season.”
But the arrival of Jenkinson, who worked with Rooney in Derby County, suggests the DC head coach will stay in Washington.
Jenkinson added: ‘I’m looking forward to getting started on an exciting project at DC United.
‘I worked closely with Wayne during his time at Derby County, so it’s exciting to join him again in MLS; a league that has grown exponentially in recent years. I want to thank the property and Dave Kasper for the opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.
Rooney distanced himself from the Everton job amid doubts over Lampard’s future earlier this month, and Jenkinson’s arrival all but confirms that he has no plans to leave DC any time soon.
“It was the same last time when Benítez left the club, but I think it would be very unfair for me to talk about Everton,” said the Everton academy graduate. The Telegraph.
‘Obviously Frank Lampard is the manager, Moshiri supported him. Frank is a former teammate of mine, so it would be very unfair if I start talking about Everton and that role, because Frank is still the manager.