Wayne Rooney celebrated on Saturday as his Derby County side escaped relegation from the Championship in dramatic fashion.
Rooney's Derby went into Saturday's decisive clash against relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday having lost their past six matches, but a 3-3 draw was enough for his side to stay up at the expense of Darren Moore's men.
Derby were heading for the drop to League One -- the third tier of English football -- when Sheffield Wednesday took a 3-2 lead at Pride Park but Martyn Waghorn's penalty secured a point that ensured Derby's survival.
The former Manchester United and DC United player took over temporarily in November 2020 after the Derby sacked then manager Phillip Cocu. After an impressive start, the 35-year-old officially ended his playing career in January, and penned a two-and-a-half-year contract to become Derby's new manager.
Rooney's time in charge has been overshadowed by one failed takeover of the club, by Dubai-based Bin Zayed International, and another, led by Spanish agent Erik Alonso, which has been the subject of the EFL's owners and directors test since early April.
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Alonso has dismissed reports that he is planning to fund his bid by borrowing against the stadium, Pride Park, but sources told ESPN that there is scepticism among Derby's owners that Alonso can complete a deal.
Source: espn.co.uk