Wayne Rooney struggles to move on from Sam Allardyce's troubled time with England as captain drops strong hint interim boss Gareth Southgate will play him in midfield

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As much as England would like to move on from Sam Allardyce’s brief reign, Wayne Rooney can’t.

The now disgraced ex-England manager conducted just one set of post-match interviews during his 67 days in charge — but that was enough to drop Rooney right in it.

Speaking after the 1-0 win over Slovakia, the 61-year-old manager said: ‘Wayne played wherever he wanted to.’ Needless to say, that comment left the 30-year-old — who had spent the game operating deep in midfield — between a rock and a hard place.

Wayne Rooney has had his say on Sam Allardyce following his dramatic England sacking

Rooney says Allardyce can have no excuses after he dramatically lost his Three Lions job

Captain Rooney and Allardyce had a misunderstanding following the game with Slovakia 

‘It was a bit of misunderstanding after the last game, when Sam said I play where I want and I seemed to get slaughtered for it,’ revealed Rooney. ‘Sam knew he’d made a mistake, he said that to me on the plane home.

‘People took it as if I picked the team, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I play to instructions. I got battered in many different ways for my performance, which I felt was actually decent.

‘I suffered from that; he knew he’d made a mistake. That’s part of being involved at this level. Unfortunately he doesn’t have the chance to rectify that now.’

Little did Allardyce know that he’d be extremely sorry again a few weeks later.

Tuesday was the first time the England captain has publicly discussed the events that cost Allardyce his dream job.

Rooney couldn’t offer any excuses for his former international boss, saying: ‘I haven’t spoken to or texted Sam, but all the players would be sad to see him go. 

'Not just the players but everyone could see how much he wanted the England manager’s job and finally got it.

‘What happened has happened. I’m sure he’s gutted. He’s let a big opportunity for himself slip. I think that’s why it is so important you need to know the environment around you, the people around you.

‘Sam’s an experienced man in football, and in life, and he’s been caught out so it’s vitally important that players, young players are aware of that. It is difficult (to trust people). There are not many I do, to be honest, apart from family and close friends.

‘You have to be aware of everything. Everyone you speak to. It’s only really behind closed doors that you can be yourself. It is sad in a way but that’s football, that’s the way of life, certainly in this country.’

Rooney speaks with Michail Antonio during an England training session at St George's Park

Allardyce is no longer England manager and has been replaced by Gareth Southgate

Amid all the talk of his best position, football corruption and his issues of trust, it is clear how much playing for England still means to Rooney. 

Gareth Southgate will be the sixth England manager the Manchester United star has worked under — with Rooney retiring from international football after the World Cup, he could be the last.

Indeed, the Football Association are likely to resist the temptation of formally discussing the role with potential candidates until after Southgate’s four confirmed matches — against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain. 

Three wins from four will leave Southgate in a strong position to be given the job on a permanent basis — if he wants it, of course.

Four victories would make it a virtual formality — unless Arsene Wenger indicates he is interested should he leave Arsenal.

And Rooney is backing Southgate to make a success of his audition, saying: ‘The one thing I’m excited about is he’s a young English manager who wants to do well for England.

Interim boss Southgate will lead England for the first time against Malta this weekend

Southgate watches on as the typically enthusiastic Rooney puts the effort in during training 

‘We’ve seen that with the Under 21s over the last few years and it’s a big opportunity for him now. We have to try to win for him.

‘If the results go well I’m sure he will be in a position where the FA will sit down with him, if that’s what he wants. It’s a big four games for him.

‘We had a chat last week. He hasn’t been around the players that much and asked what it is like and how we can move forward as a team. 

'I think, of course, there are always things which could be done better. I am sure he will be trying to work on that.’

Whether Rooney continues to start for Southgate remains to be seen, though the interim manager hinted on Monday that he views the United attacker’s leadership qualities as vital to his plans.

Rooney has had a disappointing start to the new season with his club Manchester United

But the experienced forward is still set to captain Southgate's England against Malta

Then, of course, there’s the question of where he plays. And by the sound of things, Rooney’s future will be in midfield.

‘I feel I can control and dictate games from there,’ Rooney added. ‘I’m not saying I’m better. I’m saying I can play there to a very high standard.

‘Of course you cannot beat the feeling of scoring goals. But I love football whether it is scoring or not. I’ve said many times I’ll play for England as striker, midfield, No 10. I played exactly to instructions, what was asked of me.

‘I’d never come in and say I want to play here or there, I play where I’m asked. But I’m sure Gareth will have his opinions where I should play or if I play.’