Rooney "will do everything" to save jobs of Derby staff after administration

Wayne Rooney has vowed that he "will do everything" to save the jobs of Derby County staff after the club entered administration.

The Rams confirmed on Friday that they were in the process of appointing administrators, which will lead to an automatic 12 points deduction imposed by the English Football League.

Rooney's side responded to the announcement in emphatic fashion, beating Stoke City 2-1 on Saturday in the Championship, moving into the top half of the table with 10 points from eight games.

But the mood around Pride Park was still a glum one as Derby look set to reap the financial problems that have been sewn under owner Mel Morris and are set to face further punishment from the EFL for separate issues.

Rooney has vowed to do everything for his club's staff

Rooney, who was praised for his comments, told Sky Sports post-match: "Next week will be difficult. Some staff will lose their jobs.

They've got mortgages, bills to pay, it's horrendous and I will do everything I can to help the staff," he stated.

"The staff usually gets forgotten about."

The Rams boss also also revealed before kick-off that he found out the news on Friday on television at the team hotel after he and his coaching staff prepped the Derby squad ahead of their win.

Derby are set to find themselves at the bottom of the Championship table with a -12 points deduction

"I saw it on Sky," the former England captain told the broadcaster. "Obviously with the news breaking it was difficult for the players, the staff and for the fans. A very difficult position we find ourselves in.

"My job is to get the players playing," Rooney affirmed. "All we can do is play with a lot of pride and my job is to bring some dignity back to the football club.

"I've spoken to [chief executive) Stephen Pearce after it but initially had seen it on TV. I haven't spoken with Mel. I'm sure he's got other things on his mind.

Manchester United's all-time top goalscorer added: "The squad this morning was a bit flat because the players had no information, they've seen it on Sky as well."

In a statement posted on Derby's official website on Friday night, a spokesman said: "Last week, it became clear that the process which has been underway to identify a purchaser for the Club likely would not be productive over the near term, despite the number of negotiations with credible parties.

"Because the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the revenues and profits of all of its businesses, the Club has been unable to service its day-to-day financial obligations.

"The directors had no choice but to make the tough decision to take this action and protect the Club."

Derby confirmed they are in the process of appointing administrators on Friday

The global pandemic was one of the primary reasons the Rams gave as they added: "The COVID-19 lockdown also meant that we were unable to have face-to-face meetings with a number of potential purchasers who could not visit the stadium or training ground," it added.

"A planned sale of the club and stadium that was due to close in January 2020 collapsed when the EFL was coerced into challenging the Stadium Sale transaction, a charge that would be dismissed some 9 months later.

It continued: "The ongoing litigation and charges in regard to the P&S regulations and the protracted timetable for this to reach a resolution, added further uncertainty and made negotiations challenging."