Wayne Rooney takes the next step in his fledgling managerial career tonight as Derby host fierce rivals Nottingham Forest in the Championship.

After playing in Merseyside and Manchester derbies, Rooney faces his first such clash as a boss — albeit one without the usual hostilities in the stands.

If the first three months of his tenure are anything to go by, it is a step the England legend will take in his stride.

Improving fortunes

Phillip Cocu was sacked with Derby sitting bottom of the table after picking up six points from 11 games.

The improvement under Rooney (pictured above) has been stark.

Derby initially placed him and three other senior coaches in charge but defeats at Bristol City and Middlesbrough saw Roo confirmed as the sole caretaker boss.

The Rams picked up three wins and four draws from his first 11 outings and he was given the role on a permanent basis by mid-January.

A 2-0 success against Huddersfield on Tuesday night was the ninth victory from 18 games that Rooney has overseen — taking Derby up to 37 points, 18th in the table and eight points clear of the drop zone.

Pragmatic approach

It has been a case of needs must for Rooney and his side have not attempted to play swashbuckling football in their quest to reach mid-table mediocrity. 

They have kept nine clean sheets — just one less than Cocu managed in his entire tenure.

And after their latest shutout against the Terriers, Martyn Waghorn talked about the belief Rooney, 35, has given the squad.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the Rams striker said: "I know it’s difficult at times because each game is different, but he’s just given us belief that we are solid at the back and if we keep teams out then we have the freedom up front.

"When he first came in he outlined his intentions that he wants to win games, whether that’s making big decisions or substitutions, and he’s not afraid to do it because he wants to win games."

A team in his image

An in-form Rooney had magic in his right boot — yet it was his streetfighter mentality that often defined him.

From the minute he broke through as a teenager, the Evertonian threw himself into tackles, mouthed off at opponents and thrived when the going got tough.

Colin Kazim-Richards has led the line for Rooney’s Derby, scoring six goals in 18 starts and making life difficult for defenders in the process.

After a 1-0 victory over Bristol City in January, Rooney said: "He’s a big presence for us up front. I’ve asked him to be horrible.

"Be a player who defenders come off the pitch and they know they’ve been in a tough game with and not be a nice guy to play against.

"That’s not just Colin, that’s the whole team. I want the other team to come off the pitch and to not have enjoyed the game."

Shades of Sir Alex

Rooney made it clear from the outset that he wanted more discipline from a squad he clearly felt lived a little easily under Cocu.

He wants and expects 100% effort to be the minimum every day. It is said he will let players know if they are not pulling their weight, while also taking time to explain decisions and omissions face-to-face.

The departure of Duane Holmes was straight out of the Sir Alex Ferguson playbook.

Rooney made it clear he had left Holmes out of the squad for ‘footballing reasons’ after hinting he wanted more from the midfielder. The next week, he was sold to Huddersfield.

Derby's current squad were then banned from speaking to Holmes and former Rams skipper Richard Keogh prior to Tuesday's meeting with their former team-mates.

Rooney said: "I have said to my players that I don't want to see anyone speaking to them before the game.

"If they want to speak and catch up, they can do that after the game — but before the game we have to focus on our jobs."

Early days

Clearly, Rooney’s true ability and approach as a boss can only be judged when he has a full pre-season under his belt.

Derby were not tipped to struggle this season and he is in the process of returning the young squad to their expected spot in the table.

But it has been a promising start. 

England’s golden generation might never have got it done on the pitch, yet Rooney is the latest evidence that they may have what it takes in the dugout.