Former England and Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has been named Birmingham City’s new manager.
The announcement was made earlier today.
He agreed to a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
Rooney will replace John Eustace, who was fired despite leading Birmingham to sixth place in the Championship this year.
The former Manchester United legend will be responsible for leading the effort to gain promotion to the Premier League.
He left DC United of Major League Soccer last week before this assignment.
Despite his best efforts, he was unable to advance DC United this season to the MLS playoffs.
Positive responses have greeted Rooney’s appointment. “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,” said Birmingham co-owner Tom Wagner.
Former England teammate Ashley Cole, who serves as the England Under-21s assistant coach, and John O’Shea, the assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland, are joining Rooney on his Birmingham coaching staff.
Rooney’s former coworkers at DC United, Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth, will also relocate to St. Andrew’s.
On October 21, 2023, Rooney will travel to Middlesbrough for his debut game as manager and take on Michael Carrick, a former colleague from Manchester United.