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…

Derby County boss Wayne Rooney is interested in taking charge at Newcastle United if the conditions are right, according to Chronicle Live

The report claims that Rooney would be willing to take charge at St James' Park should Steve Bruce depart, potentially on a short term basis.

But would that be a good move from Newcastle's perspective? And is he ready to make the step up to the Championship?

We quizzed our FLW writers...

Marcus Ally

No. In my opinion Wayne Rooney is not ready for the step up to Premier League management and it would be a hugely risky appointment. Rooney’s managerial reputation was in tatters at the back end of last season with the types of performances Derby were putting in.

He has done excellently to rally the troops, motivate them and keep everyone onside despite the off the pitch issues this season. However, that for me, in a small sample size, does not make him even a top class Championship manager.

Michael O’Neill, Mark Robins, Tony Mowbray, Mark Warburton, or Gary Rowett would all be better second tier managers more prepared to go and steady the ship at Newcastle. Not just Wayne Rooney because he is Wayne Rooney.

George Dagless

I'd be shocked and underwhelmed if I was a Newcastle fan to be honest.

I think Rooney has done a good job at Derby and continues to fight their corner well given the circumstances but if I'm a Magpies fan and I want Steve Bruce replacing I want a big name to come in or at least someone with managerial pedigree in the Premier League.

I am sure Rooney will get to the top level as a manager in his career and with the right club it could work out nicely for them but Newcastle don't need to take such a risk at this stage, they can pretty much afford whoever they want and in their position in the league getting in a top level, proven manager would be the wise decision.

Rooney will get his time, but I don't think it should be yet, and not with the Toon.

Jordan Rushworth 

There is no doubt that Wayne Rooney has elevated his profile within the game in terms of his managerial abilities this season with the way that he has handled Derby County’s ongoing off-field issues.

Rooney has shown a lot of maturity as a manager and has shown he has the ability to handle a host of issues on and off the field and still get performances out of his players week in week out.

Therefore, there is an argument to be made that Rooney has shown that he could handle a job at a club that are heading in more of a positive direction such as Newcastle United.

At the moment, Newcastle need a manager to try and help keep them in the Premier League, Rooney’s experience of a relegation battle last term with Derby could provide him with the knowledge on how to get them out of that position.

However, Rooney has not yet proven himself in the Premier League and it would be a big risk for Newcastle's new owners to take in hiring him to lead them forward into their new era.

It would not be the right appointment at this point for Newcastle, but the fact that he is even being linked with this job just shows how the rest of football views the job that he has been doing with Derby this term.