Wayne Rooney named new Birmingham manager as Man Utd icon signs bumper contract
Wayne Rooney has made his return to English football by being announced as Birmingham City’s new manager.
Rooney joins the Blues on a three-and-a-half-year deal and replaces John Eustace, who was sacked on Monday despite leading the team to sixth in the Championship this season. The move comes after Rooney was relieved of his duties by MLS side DC United, where he had worked since July 2022.
The 37-year-old has taken his third managerial position, having started out at Derby County in August 2020. Rooney has always planned to move back over the Atlantic, having lived away from his wife Coleen and four sons for over a year.
His appointment at Birmingham follows a takeover at the club by Tom Wagner’s Knighthead Capital in July. The new American owners, who include minority shareholder Tom Brady, have been keen to hire a big name to front their project.
Rooney said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City Football Club at such an exciting time. It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club. We are fully aligned on what is expected. I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity. It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started.
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“We have some exciting young players in the squad, and some who are still to break through into the first team, alongside a core of experienced senior professionals. I have a clear way that I want the team to play, and my coaching staff and I will work hard to implement it. We will create a winning culture here with an identity that gets Blues fans on their feet.
“I’ve played at St. Andrew’s and Birmingham City fans were always loud and passionate about their team. It was a really difficult place to come as an opponent and now I get to experience what it is like to have them behind us. My job is to elevate the club to the next level and I can’t wait to get started. I know what the expectations are and our job is to deliver.”
Wayne Rooney won just 14 of his 53 games in charge of DC United (Getty Images) HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Wayne Rooney be a success at Birmingham? Comment below.
Rooney has been handed a bumper contract which will see him earn three times what his predecessor Eustace was paid. Birmingham chief executive Garry Cook has close ties to Rooney's agent Paul Stretford and has been driving the change of manager.
As reported by Mirror Football, Rooney has been on Birmingham’s radar for some time, despite winning just 14 of his 53 games in charge of DC United. The club statement after sacking Eustace said the board wants someone who can create “a winning mentality and a culture of ambition” and “an identity and clear ‘no fear’ playing style”.
On appointing Rooney as the new manager, the club's co-owner Wagner added: “Wayne is a born winner. We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the Club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey. His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City.
“Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he embarked on his coaching education whilst still a player at Manchester United. He and his staff have the full support of the Board and everyone at the Football Club.”
Rooney began his managerial career with Derby after the sacking of Phillip Cocu at the start of the 2020/21 season. He narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship, with the Rams finishing in 21st place, but could not repeat the trick the following campaign as administration and a 21-point deductions sent the club down to League One.
The former Everton and Manchester United striker resigned at Derby in June 2022 and quickly moved to Washington to take charge of DC United. Rooney was let go by the club after a season and a half, having failed to make the play-offs in successive campaigns. He said: "It's the right time. I've done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It's not a single thing that's happened. It's about timing.”
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