Wayne Rooney boost for Derby with Chris Kirchner’s takeover set to get green light and Man Utd icon to stay as manager
DERBY’S bid to keep Wayne Rooney will get a huge boost this week — as Chris Kirchner’s takeover gets the OK from the EFL.
Rams fear approaches for boss Rooney if they are stuck in administration as the managerial merry-go-round begins.
But American Kirchner expects to be given the green light by the EFL as he tries to close a deal for Derby before the club’s money runs out this week.
Kirchner has presented information for the final part of the "fit and proper test" after checks on his finances and that is a massive step towards taking the club out of admin.
He had suffered from a whispering campaign after previous attempts to buy both Derby and Preston came to nothing, with suggestions his funding was not securely based.
But Kirchner, 34, had shown he had £100million available to Derby’s administrators at the start of the process months ago and similar cash resources were confirmed to the EFL.
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The local council are attempting to buy Pride Park from owner Mel Morris.
Kirchner even reached out to playing staff during his bid to buy the relegated club — calling player of the year, centre-half Curtis Davies, to plead with him to stay for next season in League One despite interest from a host of clubs in the Championship.
Derby's relegation was confirmed after losing 1-0 to QPR, having been docked 21 points for their financial issues.
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Afterwards, boss Rooney delivered a rousing speech to Derby supporters, who face watching League One football next season.
He said: "We're grateful for the support you've shown us all season.
"It's been f***ing tough, it's been hard. Difficult moments, for us, for you especially - it's been very tough.
"But we've tried our best, we've given everything we can.
"It's unfortunate we've been relegated, but, now we'll plan to make sure this club comes back."
