Wayne Rooney has stepped down as Derby manager after 17 turbulent months on the day hopes grew for a takeover by a local property group.
Rooney, who led Derby through a difficult period of administration that ended in relegation last season after a 21-point deduction, said: “Today I met with the administrators to inform them of my decision that it was time for me to leave the club. In fairness to them, they tried tremendously hard to change my decision but my mind was made up.