Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has rejected the opportunity to return to Everton as manager.
The Toffees have been without a manager since sacking Rafa Benitez earlier this month.
Rooney played for his boyhood club at both ends of his career, sandwiching a long spell at United, but is now in charge of Derby County.
And during a pre-match press conference before the Rams' clash with Birmingham on Sunday, Rooney confirmed that he had rejected an interview to be Benitez's successor.
He said: "Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the vacant job which I turned down.
"I have a job here I am doing, which is an important job to me and that means me getting the team ready for Sunday."
The Mirror reported on Thursday evening that Rooney had rejected the opportunity to return to Merseyside as he was reluctant to enter a 'beauty pageant' for the role.
Vitor Pereira, Frank Lampard and Duncan Ferguson are now thought to be the front runners to take on the job permanently.
Rooney is now set to continue at Derby County as they look to battle against relegation from the Championship and possible extinction.
The Rams are eight points from safety in the second tier of English football — a remarkable feat considering Rooney's side were deducted 21 points so far this season.
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