DERBY, England (AP) Former England captain Wayne Rooney was given a rousing reception before taking his place among Derby County’s coaching staff for the first time at the start of his 18-month stint as player-coach at the second-tier English club.
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Rooney watched from the dugout as 14th-place Derby drew with Queens Park Rangers 1-1 at Pride Park on Saturday.
England’s all-time leading scorer, who is not eligible to play until January, had his name chanted by Derby fans when he was introduced to supporters on the field before kickoff. He applauded in reply.
Welcome, @WayneRooney! 👋 pic.twitter.com/elR3g8grLH
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) November 30, 2019
Rooney left Major League Soccer side DC United in October.