Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has revealed he turned down the opportunity to interview for the vacant Everton job.

The Toffees have been on the search for someone to replace Rafael Benitez after his 200-day reign in charge came to an end following the recent defeat to Norwich City.

Former Everton striker, Rooney had been in contention for that role, with the Premier League outfit wanting to speak with their former player, but the interest was not met with the same feeling.

"Everton approached my agent and asked me to interview for the vacant job, which I turned down," he told the press.

"I believe that I will be a Premier League manager and I believe I am ready for that 100 percent, and if that is with Everton one day in the future that would be absolutely great. But I have got a job here to do at Derby County which is an important job to me."

Rooney will now focus on Derby's fight for survival in the Championship, which continues this Sunday when they host Birmingham City.

Meanwhile, Everton are continuing their search for a new manager, with further interviews set to take place with the three remaining candidates, Frank Lampard, Duncan Ferguson and Vitor Pereira.