Saha thinks former teammate Rooney ‘perfect match’ for Everton
Ex-Everton striker Louis Saha has thrown his backing behind his former teammate Wayne Rooney to take on the manager’s role at Goodison Park.
Rooney and Saha played together at Manchester United for four years between 2004 and 2008 before the Frenchman left Old Trafford to join the Toffees.
Since Rafael Benitez’s sacking on Sunday [16 January], Rooney has been one of the names linked with the job [The Times] as Duncan Ferguson has been appointed as caretaker in the meantime.
“I have full confidence that Wayne Rooney would be ready to return to his boyhood club,” Saha said to Genting Casino.
“Look at the job that he is doing at Derby in unbelievably tough conditions. He would need to have the right team around him to help him step up.
“We know that Wayne Rooney wants to win in whatever he does. As a manager, he will want to test himself at the highest level and will be ready for the challenge.
“I’m confident he would be successful because of his pedigree as a player and also as a person.
“He’s smart, dedicated and he knows the club inside and out – this is his boyhood club – he has the tattoo!
“I honestly think he would be a perfect match for the club. He can create the right foundation for the club to improve.
“I’m not talking about Wayne like this because I played with him. It is because I believe he is ready to do it.
“He won’t come with an ego as a manager because he is still learning the role. He will come as Wayne.”
Mixed reviews
It is certainly a glowing statement of Rooney’s credentials from Saha and there is no doubting the fantastic job he is doing at Derby County.
But there are concerns that a job of this magnitude might be too much too soon for Rooney if he makes the move from Pride Park.
It is a huge step up from the Championship to the Premier League and a club that attracts as much interest as Everton do can be daunting for some managers.
That is unlikely to phase Rooney though having performed on the biggest stages in football including World Cups and Champions League finals.
But with the battle facing Derby at the moment, it may be that Rooney stays with the Rams for this season and tries to keep them up against all odds before moving on.
Duncan Ferguson is more than capable to take the reigns until the end of the season.
In other Everton news, another former Toffee has given his verdict on the manager’s position at Goodison Park.