Everton’s manager next season could have a bearing on Wayne Rooney’s future.
Rooney is weighing up a potential move to MLS oufit DC United this summer after enduring a mixed first season back within the ranks at Goodison Park.
Sam Allardyce remains confident of leading the Blues in the next campaign but is yet to receive any public guarantees or backing from the club’s board.
Speculation is rife that the ex-England boss will be replaced as part of an overhaul with PSV Eindhoven’s sporting director Marcel Brands already set to arrive.
That decision may help determine where Rooney’s future lies if he is provided assurances by whoever is in charge in time for the start of the next campaign.
The 32-year-old is midway through a two-year contract signed upon his return to Everton last summer and has scored 10 goals this season.
But Rooney’s strike rate has dwindled significantly and has not found the targe in 16 games since his last effort against Swansea on December 18.
Allardyce revealed this week that he hopes the boyhood Evertonian will stay.
“There are rumours about Wayne going elsewhere abroad – in China and America – but rumours are rumours,” he told TalkSport.
“We won’t find out until Wayne and his agent have been contacted whether he wants to move.
“But at the moment he is an Everton fan and an Everton player.
“So I wouldn’t consider anything on the cards on the moment. It would have to be massive for him to want to leave Everton.
“Do I want him to stay? Yes.”