Wayne Rooney has been confirmed as the new manager of Birmingham City.
The Championship club’s new owners dismissed head coach John Eustace on Monday despite an impressive start to the season citing the need for “a winning mentality” and “a culture of ambition” at the club.
The former England captain, 37, departed Major League Soccer side D.C. United by mutual agreement on Saturday night and now returns to English football’s second tier where he managed Derby County for two years between 2020 and 2022.
He has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the club and will be assisted by Ashley Cole, John O’Shea, Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth with Maik Taylor remaining as goalkeeper coach.
Rooney’s first game will be against Middlesbrough following the international break.
He 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.
“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.”
Birmingham City Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of @WayneRooney as Manager, agreeing terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Welcome to Blues, Wayne! 🤝🔵
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) October 11, 2023
Rooney a ‘born winner’; club cites ambition after takeover
US-based Shelby Companies Limited completed its takeover at St Andrew’s back in July with NFL legend Tom Brady announced as a minority investor in August.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner has taken part-ownership of the team and is chair of the advisory board.
Co-owner and chairman of the board, Tom Wagner, said of 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. 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.”
Former midfielder Eustace had been appointed by Birmingham in July 2022, his first management job in the English Football League. They finished the season 17th, their highest league finish since the 2018-19 campaign with their highest points tally since 2015-16.
Birmingham currently lie sixth in the Championship after five wins from their opening 11 games of the season, including most recently the derby win over West Bromwich Albion on Friday night.
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Under Rooney, D.C. United missed the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, finishing with a 10-10-14 record and 40 points with the club moving to announce his departure following the win over New York City FC on Saturday.
CEO and co-chairman Jason Levien said: “We have spoken with Wayne and agreed it is best for us to part ways at this time.
“This decision creates the avenue for our next general manager to have the full opportunity to impart a new philosophy and structure onto our sporting operations, which begins with the critical identification of a head coach who will best align with this.
“We are grateful to Wayne Rooney for all he has done for our club and for soccer in the Nation’s Capital, first as a D.C. United player and captain and most recently as our coach. He remains an important part of the D.C. United family and a valued and cherished friend.”
Rooney said it was “the right time” to leave the club.
“I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs,” he said. “It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing” before going on to suggest he had made no decisions on his next move.
“What lies ahead, I don’t know,” he added. “I’ve seen a lot of reports in the media. I’m going back with nothing lined up.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here. It will help me a lot moving forward as a coach. I just want to say on record to everyone involved, the club, staff, players, I’m grateful and I wish them nothing but success in the future.”
Rooney spent two years at Derby County in his first managerial job, helping save them from relegation in 2020-21 before they were relegated to League One in 2021-22. He resigned from his position in July of that year before moving D.C where he spent two seasons.
Rooney made more than 850 appearances in a glittering playing career, claiming the Premier League five times with Manchester United as well as winning 120 caps for England, scoring a then-record 53 goals for his country.
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(Photo: Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images)