Leroy Rosenior's 10-minute job recalled as son Liam lands first managerial role

Liam Rosenior has been handed his first chance to showcase his managerial credentials having been named interim boss of Derby County.

The 37-year-old was appointed as the immediate successor to Wayne Rooney, after the former England and Manchester United ace left the troubled Rams last week after 17 turbulent months in charge.

The news of Rosenior's appointment was announced at 4.15pm on Sunday by Derby's official social media channels. By 4.26pm he had already outlasted his father Leroy after his infamous short-lived job in the dugout 15 years ago.

Back in May 2007 Leroy was appointed manager of Torquay United. It was familiar ground for him, having previously managed the Gulls for four years and led them to promotion into the third tier in 2004. He left them in 2006 only to return a year later.

Only this time his stay would be all-too-brief - it lasted just ten minutes!

Almost as soon as the ink had dried on his contract, Torquay chairman Mike Bateson called Rosenior to say he had just sold the club to a group led by Colin Lee, who then reinstated himself as director of football.

Speaking to the BBC about the bizarre episode, Rosenior said: "I went down, did the press conference and Mike rang me about 10 minutes later.

"I thought he was joking but he said you're not going to believe this, but they've given me the offer I want so just hold tight and we'll get it all sorted.

"It's weird because I was there previously for four years, got promoted and had some wonderful times as manager. But everybody talks about the ten minutes. It wasn't really an issue because I was never really in situ. I was pleased that Mike had managed to get the money that he wanted for the club and we all moved on."

The previous shortest tenure in charge in English football was Dave Bassett's four-day reign at Crystal Palace back in 1984.

Of course, Rosenior junior will be hoping to last much longer than both those previous examples but that largely depends on a takeover deal getting ratified for Derby.

The Rams, relegated from the Championship last season, have been in administration for nine months but after many false dawns it appears they are on the cusp of finally getting new owners. Local property developer and lifelong Derby fan David Clowes has had his bid accepted and said he hopes to complete the purchase on Wednesday.

He has already removed one of the major hurdles by purchasing the club's Pride Park stadium from previous owner Mel Morris. The takeover fillip will come as huge relief to the club's long-suffering fans, especially with the new season less than five weeks away.

Rosenior and his staff return for pre-season training today (Monday) albeit working with what will be a skeleton squad following a number of player exits over the summer.

The club's financial position has meant they have been unable to offer contract extensions to the clutch of stars whose deals are set to expire.

Derby begin the League One season at home to Oxford on July 30.