Wayne Rooney says he felt "proud" of his Derby County players despite seeing his side relegated from the Championship on Easter Monday - before addressing what the result means for his own future at the club.
Derby lost 1-0 at Queens Park Rangers with Luke Amos' goal late in the game condemning the Rams to the third tier next season, with Tom Lawrence shown a red card in stoppage time. Reading's remarkable comeback to seal a 4-4 draw at home to Swansea means Derby are ten points behind them with only three games left to play.
Speaking in the aftermath of relegation, Rooney was asked for his feelings on the relegation, and told Sky Sports: "Proud. Which is a strange feeling because of everything we've been through. There's so many positives for us to take. Of course it's disappointing to go down but the overall feeling is pride."
Rooney's side put up a brave fight against a huge handicap this season. They were docked 21 points in total - 12 for entering administration and a further nine for a breach of accounting policies.
Despite that severe handicap, Derby won plenty of plaudits for their fighting spirit with a number of victories against the odds. The last of those came as recently as Good Friday, when County came from behind to topple leaders Fulham and spoil their planned promotion party.
Rooney was also quizzed on his future and he says that if the takeover does get rubber-stamped he wants to be the man to bring good times back to Pride Park.
He added: "The takeover has to happen. If it doesn't I fear for the club. It has to (go through). If it happens, I want to rebuild the club. This is a special club, I've said all along. I want to try and bring the happy days back."
Derby's travelling fans who followed their team to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium remained behind long after the final whistle.
There is hope among the fanbase that a pending takeover will mean a fresh new era after a season of strife. American businessman Chris Kirchner is in the process of completing a deal, having originally withdrawn a bid last year. His camp have made encouraging noises and it is hoped a deal can be done in time for Derby to be able to put together a competitive squad for next season.
Rooney also made note of former Derby owner Mel Morris, who many supporters blame for the club's current demise. He added: "In some ways we can draw a line under everything that has happened and really start the rebirth of this club. The quicker the takeover happens the quicker we can develop the squad.
"I feel for the players. We've taken 52 points and in normal circumstances we'd be safe by now. We've paid the price for what the previous owner has left behind. It's no-one's fault - not mine, not the staff, not the players' - other than the previous owner. We're paying the price and I'm sure it's a sad day for Mel (Morris) too because I know he's a Derby fan. I'm sure he'll be very disappointed."
Former England midfielder Paul Merson, speaking on Sky Sports, believes the takeover is imperative if the Rams are to be competitive next season.
He said: "Whoever comes in has got a job to do. There's a lot of players out of contract. Despite the deduction they've stayed in it right until April 18 which is some doing. It's unbelievable so fair play. And all respect to Derby fans today."
Skipper Lawrence said: "I could sit here and be really sad, but I'm just super, super proud of everyone.
"We don't want any disappointment in our changing room, the fight we've shown all season, we haven't given up on anything. The fans also didn't give up on us and big respect, they've been a great 12th man all season."
