Wayne Rooney has revealed he turned down talks to be Everton manager.
Rooney remained highly regarded by sections of the Goodison Park board as they prepare to appoint Rafael Benitez’s permanent successor this week.
The Derby County boss admitted he was ‘flattered’ by links of a potential return to his boyhood club, four years after leaving as a player.
But Rooney was not included in the three-man shortlist that is being interviewed by Farhad Moshiri and the Blues’ hierarchy in London.
Explaining the current situation, the 36-year-old admitted that his representatives turned down an approach to interview for the vacant position.
“Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the vacant job, which I turned down,” confirmed Rooney.
“I believe I will [someday] be a Premier League manager. I believe I’m ready for that, 100 per cent.
“And if that is with Everton one day in the future, that would be absolutely great.
“But I’ve got a job here that I’m doing at Derby County which is an important job to me.”
Everton are currently interviewing Frank Lampard, Vitor Pereira and caretaker Duncan Ferguson before deciding on their sixth manager in as many years.