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What Wayne Rooney once said was his only regret about returning to Everton

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Wayne Rooney’s second spell with Everton could’ve stretched out to more than one season but it seemed like the decision was out of the England legend’s hands.

Rooney had a remarkable rise in football during his first spell with Everton, but his second spell didn’t quite live up to the hype.

His exit from Manchester United lead him to return to Goodison Park, as despite his heroic reappearance, Rooney isn’t deemed an Everton legend.

This is a claim that will have plenty of debate, but Rooney still holds a fond connection with his boyhood club, and Rooney joked about becoming Everton manager, as David Moyes might raise his eyebrows.

It’s clear he still holds that admiration for the club he supported as a youngster, and Rooney himself wanted his second stay at the club to be longer, but Farhad Moshiri had his say.

Everton v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Wayne Rooney’s only regret from second spell at Everton

After a failed start to his managerial career, Evertonians and United fans will know Rooney isn’t the giving-up type.

This could lead him to the managerial position of the Toffees one day, but he has a long way to go.

Whatever happens next for the former forward is unknown, but he made his feelings pretty clear on his second exit from Everton.

Despite Rooney showing anger at decisions on his Everton return, he handled his departure like the true professional he is, and it doesn’t leave Moshiri looking good. Shock.

Speaking to TNT Sports in 2018, Rooney claimed he should’ve put himself first and, unfortunately, let the old ownership get the better of him

“I just felt I should’ve been more selfish,” Rooney claimed.

“I should’ve refused to go and play midfield and carry on playing in a more advanced role, it probably hindered my chances of doing even better there.

“The owners had their own ideas about the club, I didn’t want to leave the club – that’s what they wanted.

“They wanted me off the books so they could bring new players in.”

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Rooney would’ve flourished at Everton under The Friedkin Group

In unsurprising news, Moshiri made a complete mess of Rooney’s second stint with the Toffees.

The former owner wasn’t made for Everton, and that was clear from the moment he arrived, as unlike The Friedkin Group, Moshiri didn’t attend Everton meetings.

So it’s not a shock that Rooney didn’t work out the second time round, but if Rooney was still playing today at that point in his career, The Friedkins would’ve welcomed him with open arms.

An example of the way they treat long-standing players is through Seamus Coleman, who’s adopted a coaching role at Everton.

Rooney could’ve had the same feat, but instead suffered under the misfortunes of Moshiri.