Everton manager, Ronald Koeman, has said that Wayne Rooney’s retirement from the England national team is the best choice for both the player and Everton.
Koeman said it will allow the 31-year-old more time to recover his fitness during a busy domestic schedule.
Rooney, who rejoined Everton, from Manchester United in July, ended his 14-year England career when the country’s all-time leading scorer announced his international retirement on Wednesday.
“He had a talk with the national coach and made his decision, because he thinks it is the best for Everton,” Koeman told reporters. “It is always the player’s decision and, of course, I respect that.
Everton hold a 2-0 lead over Hajduk Split from the first leg of their Europa League qualifier and travel to Croatia for the second leg on Thursday.
Progression to the group stages means the Merseyside club will compete in four different competitions.
“If you reach the group stage of the Europa League and have international duty, then that is a really tough programme,” Koeman said.
“His fitness is really good at the moment. I think it is a good decision for him and a good decision for Everton. It means when the internationals come, he will have some time at home with his family,” He added.
Koeman, who earned 78 caps for the Netherlands as a player, also said that he did not advise Rooney, who scored 53 goals for England, on his decision to retire.
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