Wayne Rooney after Derby County's relegation: I want to rebuild them

needed to better Reading's result but fell to a 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers while Reading snatched a late comeback 4-4 draw against Swansea City.

Derby will play in England's third tier for the first time since 1986. In November Derby was deducted a total of 21 points by the English Football League after the club entered administration.

Former England and

captain

joined Derby in 2020 and he retired from playing in January 2021 after being appointed permanent manager.

Rooney told Sky Sports after the game:

"The takeover has to happen. If the takeover doesn't happen, then I really fear for where the club will end up.

"The club's future is in doubt, if [the takeover] doesn't happen my future is in doubt. So it has to.

"If it happens [the takeover], then I want to rebuild the club. You see the fans what it means to them every week, this is a special club, a big club we are all proud to be at and I want to be the one to bring the happy days back.”

He added:

"It is a complex situation. I feel for the players more because we've picked up 52 points and we'd be safe now in normal circumstances.

"We've paid the price for what the previous owner has left behind. It is no one's fault other than the previous owner and we are paying the price. I'm sure it is a sad day for him as well because Mel Morris is a Derby fan, I am sure he'd be disappointed."

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