Gary Neville says manager would jump at chance to take Everton job

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Gary Neville has told The Gary Neville Podcast that he believes that Wayne Rooney would not need five minutes to consider becoming the next Everton manager.

Rooney is in contention to succeed Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park. It comes with the Toffees really struggling in the Premier League. Benitez was always a controversial appointment. And he never managed to win all of the fanbase over.

Ultimately, there is a little more hope with Duncan Ferguson in temporary charge. But the club know how important the next appointment will be. And one of those reportedly in the frame is the Derby County boss.

Rooney has received a lot of plaudits for the work he has done at Pride Park. They have been docked 21 points in the Championship this season. And yet, they do not sit bottom of the table. The Rams actually find themselves just eight points off safety with 19 games remaining.

Former Derby man George Evans described him as a ‘fantastic‘ manager.

The Everton job would certainly ask different questions of Rooney. And that may be a daunting prospect for a young manager. But Neville believes that the 36-year-old would have no hesitation if offered the chance to make the move.

“He’d jump at the chance obviously,” he told The Gary Neville Podcast. “Wayne Rooney being asked to be Everton manager, growing up as a fan, a kid there, going back at the end of his career, I don’t think it would take five minutes for him to go back. Whether that will be right for him or not, whether that would work or not, I don’t know.

“He’d have the passion. He’s obviously got a grounding at Derby and he’s working in difficult circumstances. So he’s getting a good experience. But he’d jump at the chance of course.”

Everton may be in two minds about Wayne Rooney appointment

Like Ferguson, Rooney has a clear connection with Everton. There is no question that he would do absolutely everything to be a success if he returned to Merseyside.

That may be exactly what the Toffees need while survival in the top-flight is the short-term goal. Everton have the quality to pull themselves away from trouble.

But it would be a gamble for Everton to appoint Rooney as their next manager. The job he has done at Derby has been hugely impressive. But it would be naive to suggest his stock would suffer a big hit if the Rams are relegated.

Rooney could prove to be exactly what Everton need. And he may be up to the challenge. But it is still a roll of the dice given his limited experience so far.