Wayne Rooney has agreed a deal to join Championship side Birmingham City as their new manager following his departure from DC United, according to Football Insider and various other sources.
The Championship side are set to appoint the Manchester United legend despite current manager John Eustace still being in situ at St Andrews. The in-demand manager has been attracting attention from the Premier League after guiding the Blues to sixth in the second tier after eleven games. The 43-year-old took over in the summer of 2022 and managed to stave off the threat of relegation despite serious financial issues behind the scenes. He has yet to be offered a new contract with his deal set to expire in 2025.
He is set to be replaced by the former England striker and will also be joined by former teammates Ashley Cole and John O’Shea in the dugout who have both also agreed to join the club. The 37-year-old previously managed Derby County during their fall under financial issues which resulted in points deductions and embargoes that blighted Rooney’s tenure. He departed following the club’s relegation to the third tier and was succeeded by now Hull City boss Liam Rosenior. He then moved to the United States and took over at DC United.
Rooney spoke following his departure from the MLS:
‘’I think it’s just the right time. I’ve done everything I can to try and get the club into the playoffs. It’s not been a single thing which has happened. It’s about timing in your career. I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I’ve had a lot of great help from the owners… I just feel like it’s the right time for me to go back to England, first to obviously see my family. I haven’t seen them for a long time.’
‘And then, what lies ahead? Whether opportunities come up? I’ve seen a lot of reports in the media. I don’t have anything lined up. ‘I’m going back there to see my family. If something comes up in October, November, of course I’ll look at it.’
Writer’s View
It is somewhat unusual to see such public moves for a new manager when one is still in situ and makes you wonder if there has already been a deal agreed or at least in advance stages by a Premier League club. I suspect Rooney has only departed DC United knowing full well that there is a job there if he wants it but is probably not in a position to discuss it at present. It will be interesting to see how he does and if he can continue the good start that Eustace leaves him with.