Derby boss Wayne Rooney gives honest response when asked if he wants to become Everton’s next manager

Wayne Rooney has responded to questions linking him with the vacant Everton manager’s job.

Rooney is one of the frontrunners to take the reins at Goodison Park after the sacking of Rafa Benitez.

The boyhood Evertonian is currently working miracles in his first managerial job at crisis-club Derby County.

The Rams are in administration, been hit with a 21-point deduction and have a threadbare squad.

The Pride Park side are in the relegation zone but without that deduction, they would be 11th in the Championship and seven points off the play-offs.

It has been reported that Rooney would find it tough to turn Everton down, although there has been no offical approach.

And Rooney did not deny he would be tempted to move to Goodison should the Toffees make a move - but his focus is on Derby’s game with east midlands rivals Nottingham Forest tomorrow.

Rooney told BBC Radio Derby: “Listen, I’m the same as everyone else. I see the speculation on social media and in the papers.

“Of course, Everton is a club I grew up supporting and I’m flattered to be brought up in those conversations.

“But I know Everton will know for them to have any communication we me, they have to go through the administrators.

“I think it’s all hearsay as there have been no approach. My focus is on Derby County and tomorrow.”

Frank Lampard, Fabio Cannavaro and Roberto Martinez have also been linked with the Everton job.