Wayne Rooney trains with Everton in Split as Ronald Koeman says England retirement will be 'good' for the club
- Wayne Rooney confirmed decision to retire from England duty on Wednesday
- Ronald Koeman says Everton will benefit from Rooney's international retirement
- The veteran striker trained alongside team-mates in Croatia ahead of Split tie
- Everton news: All the latest ahead of Hadjuk Split tie
Ronald Koeman believes Wayne Rooney has made ‘a good decision for him and a good decision for Everton’ after the player retired from international duty.
Rooney announced that his England career was over Wednesday before jetting off to Croatia for his club’s Europa League play-off second leg against Hajduk Split.
In a statement, the striker said he had discussed the matter with his manager before reaching his decision. However, speaking ahead of the match Koeman revealed that he had not offered any advice but did welcome the move.
Wayne Rooney announced his decision to retire from international duty on Wednesday
The striker, training in Split, decided to concentrate on his club career with Everton
Rooney's England career spanned 14 years and included 53 goals in 119 international caps
‘He’s in really good fitness and it’s always up to the player what is best to do,’ he said. ‘I would have respected it if he had made a different decision. I think it is a good decision for him and a good decision for Everton.’
The Toffees manager, who also took a swipe at the Premier League over fixture scheduling, revealed that his input in the move was minimal.
‘Wayne spoke to me about this,’ he said. ‘He had a talk with the national coach and he made his decision. He thinks it’s the best for Everton. There’s always the decision by the player and of course I respect that. I don’t give him advice. I’m not the right person in his decision.’
The former Manchester United and England captain trains alongside his Everton team-mates
Everton's £45m record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson trains with his new team-mates in Croatia
Jordan Pickford makes a save as he trains with his Everton team-mates on Wednesday
Ronald Koeman believes Everton will benefit from Rooney's decision to quit England duty
Koeman added that England’s loss would be Everton’s gain in what may be a gruelling season.
‘Of course, if we reach the group stage of the Europa League and international duty - that’s really a tough programme,’ he said.
Some have queried Rooney’s decision to should call time on his international career while he is just seven caps short of breaking Peter Shilton’s record.
‘I don’t know about the record,’ Koeman said. ‘What he did for the national team was good enough. There’s time to come and a time go. He made that decision.’
The Merseyside club hosted Hajduk last Thursday, played at Manchester City on Monday night and will visit Chelsea in Sunday’s early game which kicks off at 1.30pm, despite not being televised.
And Koeman strongly agreed with Jose Mourinho, who slated the Premier League for a lack of help for its sides in the Europa League in March when eventual champions United were forced to play 72 hours after defeating Rostov.
Koeman says Rooney made right decision for him despite being seven caps from the record
Koeman has accused the Premier League of not liking English teams playing in Europe
‘Maybe they don’t care enough for European football,’ he said. ‘I totally agree with Jose what happened to United last season. The same happened this week. We know the TV money decides a lot. It’s even more difficult to play Thursday when we played Monday. The commercial side of football makes it even more difficult.’
Everton won the first leg 2-0, but Koeman is taking nothing for granted as his side seeks to secure a place in the tournament proper.
‘If we go on pitch with defensive attitude to keep the result defending, no,’ he said. ‘Our way to play is to control the game, to score goals. We have a good advantage but still 90 mins to go. It will be difficult.’
Koeman, who will make a decision on whether to start club record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson on Thursday, admitted that qualification could make life in the Premier League more difficult but added that his side carried the weight of the club’s rich continental past on their shoulders.
‘Everton’s history shows it is important to be part of Europe,’ he said. ‘We know it’s even more difficult. We have enough players. We have some injuries which makes it tough but we will fight and do the maximum to get into Europe.’
Everton face Hadjuk Split just 72 hours after playing Manchester City in the Premier League
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