Wayne Rooney's World Cup woes seemed a distant memory yesterday after he won a
multi-million pound court battle and learned of an imminent £130,000-a-week contract offer by Manchester United.
The England striker, a forlorn figure during a dismal World Cup campaign for himself and his country, expressed his delight after his former agents’ £8.3million claim for lost earnings, later modified to £4.3m, was thrown out by a judge at Manchester County Court.
More good news followed for the 24-year-old after it emerged United are ready to open
talks on a five-year deal, complete with a £30,000-a-week pay rise.
Jumping for joy: Wayne Rooney enjoyed a double boost after his miserable World Cup
United vowed to quash interest in Rooney from Real Madrid by discussing new terms with him after the World Cup, and chief executive David Gill hopes to reach an agreement with his agent Paul Stretford before the season starts.
Stretford was in court to hear Judge Brendan Hegarty QC dismiss sports management firm Proactive’s claim.
The claim was based on commission they felt they were due from multi-million pound
deals involving Rooney, and was launched after founder member Stretford left amid
acrimony, and took the firm’s star client with him, in 2008.
But the judge ruled the eight-year contract Rooney signed with them, after establishing himself in Everton’s team at just 17, amounted to a restraint of trade.
Even after reducing their initial figure, based on future as well as past earnings, to £4.3m, Proactive still lost out and walked away with just £5,000.
All smiles: Paul Stretford (right) leaves Manchester Civil Justice Centre
Rooney said: ‘Coleen and I have always been happy to pay all commissions due to the people who were owed them, but these sums were a joke, and we felt they were just an attempt to exploit us.
‘Fortunately, the judge has knocked back their massively over-inflated claims and we are happy to pay the very small sum awarded. Going to court was the last thing I wanted to do.
‘I was shocked that a company which represents some of Britain’s biggest entertainers was going down this road, which meant that private financial and commercial matters were made public. But you always have to fight for what’s right in life.’
Judge Hegarty rejected an application to appeal from the firm’s lawyers, who may take the matter to the Court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists Rooney will not suffer a World Cup hangover, but admits the striker may regret not making the most of his opportunity.
Back to the day job: Sir Alex Ferguson shares a joke with Nani
‘I don’t expect a hangover,’ said Ferguson. ‘I think there’ll still be a bit of disappointment in the lad. I think all the players coming back from the World Cup who
didn’t do well, who didn’t reach their expectations, may I say, will feel that they’ve missed something. That’s because the World Cup’s only once every four years — that’s the horrible part.
‘We have several players who have come back very disappointed. We’ve Patrice Evra,
for instance, Wayne Rooney, of course, and Nemanja Vidic.’
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