Overview
- Rooney, speaking on BBC’s FA Cup final coverage Saturday, said Guardiola left a message that opened, “Hi Wayne, this is Pep, the one who beat you in the Champions League final.”
- He explained that he called Guardiola, missed the return call, then heard the voicemail, which nodded to Barcelona’s wins over Manchester United in the 2009 and 2011 finals.
- The exchange stemmed from Rooney’s attempt to borrow Manchester City prospect Liam Delap for Derby County in 2021, when he already had Patrick Roberts on loan.
- No loan followed from City, and Rooney later resigned as Derby manager at the end of the 2021/22 season.
- Delap has since joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town in a reported £30m move and came on late in City’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Chelsea, completing a neat full‑circle twist to the tale.