This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Wayne Rooney is regarded as one of the frontrunners for the Derby County manager job.

However with two defeats from two matches in charge it seems that the former Manchester United legend faces an uphill task to convince the club that he's right man to take the club forward - particularly after Wednesday night's 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough.

But has Rooney talked himself out of contention for the role based on recent results?

The team at FLW have had their say...

Jacob Potter

I don't think he'd be the right fit anyway.

Rooney has a considerable amount of experience under his belt as a player, and I do think he'll make it as a manager at a high level in the future.

But right now, he's not what Derby need. The Rams are in a dreadful run of form, and need an experienced manager, that is more of a 'safe' option.

Someone like Eddie Howe would be top of my list, as he's a manager that has a considerable amount of experience, and has a proven record in the Championship, having guided Bournemouth to promotion earlier in his career.

Derby could do far worse than appointing Rooney, but there are much safer options out there for the Championship side, who can't afford to get this appointment wrong.

If they do, then they could be facing relegation into the third-tier, which would have been almost unthinkable at the start of this year's campaign.

Quiz: Did these 17 Derby County players ever actually score a league goal for the club?

 

George Dagless

I think there's a case to argue he has.

To be fair on him it was always going to be tough trying to turn Derby's fortunes around so quickly, especially when he has no experience of being a manager at the moment.

It's probably best Derby get in someone that has that level of coaching experience under their belts, or at least get someone in that can be full-time focused on the job, rather than playing as well.

Rooney's time will come as a manager, I'm sure of that, it might just be a little further down the line.

 

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Toby Wilding

I think he probably has done now.

The results under him have been far from encouraging, and with Derby needing to get out of trouble quick, recent performances mean you feel they cannot afford to take the risk of giving him time to turn things around.

Indeed, judging by the response of some fans to last night's defeat at Middlesbrough, Rooney would be far from a universally popular appointment at Pride Park, and you wonder if those in charge will be willing to further risk the ire of the supporters given the frustrations that are already clear.

As a result, I would be surprised if Rooney was to be Derby's permanent appointment now, although the experience of the last couple of games should serve him well, and I would still expect him to take a step into full-time management at some point in the future, given the clear desire to do so that he possesses.