Wayne Rooney responds to rumours he could replace Rafa Benitez at Everton

Wayne Rooney has distanced himself from speculation he could be set to replace Rafa Benitez as Everton head coach, insisting he remains ‘committed’ to Derby County.

Benitez, 61, was a divisive choice to take over the reins from Carlo Ancelotti in the summer given his previous ties with arch-rivals Liverpool, but the Spaniard silenced his doubters after four wins in his opening five matches as manager.

However, the Toffees have since won just one game – their 2-1 victory over Arsenal – stretching back to the beginning of October and Benitez has found himself under mounting pressure at Goodison Park, despite a public show of support from majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.

Recent reports indicate Everton have held unofficial talks with current Derby boss Rooney, a former player and boyhood fan of the Merseyside outfit.

Rooney has, until now, remained loyal to the Rams despite the daunting task facing him, with the club deducted 21 points by the EFL and 15 points from safety at the bottom of the Championship.

Asked whether had seen the reports liking him with Everton, the iconic ex-Manchester United and England captain joked: ‘I don’t think I could have missed them, to be honest!

‘I obviously came up through Everton’s Academy, Everton fan, but I see the reports and I have had no communication with Everton Football Club.

‘As far as I am aware they have got a manager in place, so for me to discuss anything like that, it’s not my place to do that.

‘As I have said, I am committed to this club.’

Rooney insisted he had not spoken to Everton and was not even considering the role.

‘I think it is a credit to the staff, who work extremely hard, that you get linked with jobs, but that’s all it is,’ he added.

‘I have had no conversation with Everton Football Club regarding the manager’s job and so it is not even something I am thinking about.’

Speaking ahead of Everton’s clash with Chelsea, Benitez said he was calm about the situation and still had the backing of the board.

‘I was talking with Mr Moshiri this morning. I have meetings with the chairman, with Denise [Barrett-Baxendale], I have conversations with them and they are supporting me,’ he told reporters on Wednesday.

‘They know… I will say something I’ve said before.

‘They have experience changing managers, they have experience trying to adapt things and it was not working.’

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