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Is Wayne Rooney ready for a new England managerial job?
Gab Marcotti and Stewart Robson discuss reports linking Wayne Rooney with Birmingham City’s vacant managerial role.
Wayne Rooney returns to England manager after taking over Championship side The club announced on Wednesday that he has extended his contract with Birmingham City for three and a half years.
Manchester United legend Rooney resigned as D.C. United’s head coach and moved to Birmingham on Sunday after the team failed to make the Major League Soccer play-offs for the second consecutive season. Birmingham announced that NFL legend Tom Brady became a minority owner and advisory board member in August. Chair.
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Rooney will be joined on his coaching staff by former England team-mate Ashley Cole and former Manchester United teammate John O’Shea.
Rooney: “I have spent my career as a manager in difficult circumstances to prepare for this opportunity.” said in a statement. This is a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started. ”
Rooney, who replaces John Eustace as manager, ended his 15-month tenure on Monday with the Birmingham side sitting sixth in the Championship with five wins from their opening 11 games.
Eustace helped Birmingham avoid relegation last season in difficult circumstances caused by two failed takeover bids and the looming threat of point deductions for breaching EFL rules.
“Wayne is a born winner,” Birmingham co-owner Tom Wagner said. “We believe that, with the support of the coaching staff, the club and the supporters, he will lead the Blues into the next stage of our journey. It will help you realize the ambitions you have set.”
“Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this ever since he began his coaching education as a Manchester United player. He and his staff have the full support of the board and the entire football club. ”
Rooney has previous Championship managerial experience and will take up his first coaching job at Derby County from January 2021 to June 2022.
He took the club from the bottom of the Championship to safety within months of his arrival, but a 21-point penalty meant he was unable to repeat that feat in his first full season in charge. The 55 points Derby earned that year were enough to secure them safety in other Championship seasons.
Rooney was appointed manager of DC United in July 2022 after playing for the club, but was unable to prevent the team from finishing last in the Eastern Conference in his first year. He led the club to a further improved ninth place finish in 2023, but it was not enough to secure a play-off spot.
DC United announced his departure immediately after the final game of the regular season, a 2-0 loss to New York City FC.
Rooney is United’s top scorer with 253 goals, but it was only this year that he lost his place as England’s all-time top scorer to Harry Kane.
