Wayne Rooney insisted his focus remains on Derby County but acknowledged he would love to manage Manchester United or Everton in future.
Rooney has overseen a tumultuous period at the Championship club, who were docked 21 points earlier this season due to financial mismanagement.
In the challenging circumstances at Pride Park, Rooney has excelled and the Rams are now just four points away from escaping the relegation zone with 16 games left.
Derby s survival hopes were boosted after both Peterborough United and Reading lost on Wednesday, while the former England striker was attending the premiere of his Amazon documentary, Rooney .
His progress has already been noted by those at Goodison Park, with the 36-year-old claiming he turned down the opportunity to interview for the Everton manager s job last month as he did not want to walk away from Derby.
But Rooney would be open to joining one of his former clubs after he has navigated his current challenge with Derby.
I didn t go to the [Everton] interview, which I was asked to go to, Rooney said on the red carpet at his film premiere. I ve always been one who likes a challenge and is willing to put the work in and fight.
I ve stood in front of my players and told them, I m with you, trust me, I m fighting with you what type of person would I be if, at the first opportunity, I left them?
True to my word, I am fighting for the club. I am trying to get us out.
And then Everton, Manchester United – two clubs close to my heart. Of course, one day I d love to manage either of them clubs.
Dugout cam, anyone?
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial)
Derby cruised to a 3-1 victory over Hull City on Tuesday and next visit Middlesbrough, with Rooney believing his side s performances are resonating with the unwavering Rams support.
While he was overseeing yet another Championship victory, United were held to a 1-1 draw at lowly Burnley, but Rooney called for patience at his former club.
I obviously haven t seen the [United] game – we [Derby] were playing. But I ve seen the result and I think they re going through a tough period, he added.
And you can see a few things off the pitch. It s a tough one. I think it s been going on for a while, if I m being honest. These are things I brought up in 2010.
They ve tried everything. They ve tried very experienced managers in Louis van Gaal. They ve tried Jose Mourinho, David Moyes, Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] – one of their own – and now they ve tried more of the professor type in the new manager.
I really think they need to bring someone in and give them time. Give them the opportunity to build the squad, let them compete and get back to the levels we all think they should be at.
Pressed on potentially becoming the United manager, Rooney replied: As I ve said before, Manchester United and Everton are both clubs I d love to manage one day, but I ve got a commitment to Derby County.
I m fighting for them, so my focus has to be on Derby.
