Birmingham City have appointed former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney as their new manager.
Rooney has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Championship club.
Wayne Rooney has been handed the responsibility to manage Birmingham City, following the dismissal of John Eustace on October 9, 2023.
Eustace was in charge of the Blues from July 3, 2022, to October 9, 2023, but he was fired due to Birmingham City’s poor start to the 2023/24 season.
The Englishman’s appointment is the first managerial change made by the Championship club’s new American owners Shelby Companies Limited.
The American company took over the club in July 2023, and Rooney has been appointed as the chosen one to take Birmingham City to success.
Wayne Rooney will be assisted by his former international team-mate Ashley Cole, who is presently the Under-21 manager of England.
John O’Shea, his team-mate at Manchester United is also one of his assistants, and O’Shea also has a creditable CV, as he is the assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland men’s national team.
Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth will also be members of Rooney’s backroom staff after the pair assisted him at Major League Soccer club DC United.
Shuttleworth was also part of the Englishman’s coaching crew at League One club Derby County.
Birmingham City statement confirming the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager
Confirming the appointment of Wayne Rooney, Birmingham City shared a statement on their website which reads:
“Birmingham City Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Wayne Rooney as Manager, agreeing terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract.”
Co-owner of the Championship club also had great words to say on the appointment of Rooney, saying:
“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.”
This is Wayne Rooney’s third managerial job, having previously managed Derby County and Major League Soccer club DC United.
Rooney at DC United
Rooney was the manager of DC United from July 12, 2022, to October 8, 2023, when he resigned from the club after failing to secure the club a MLS play-offs spot.
The 37-year-old will be hoping that he can guide Birmingham City to the Premier League, and also massively improve his managerial CV.
Speaking on his appointment as manager of the Blues, Wayne Rooney expressed his delight at becoming manager of the club.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City Football Club at such an exciting time”, he said.
Rooney also shared his commitment to helping the club achieve their ambitions and aspirations.
He said: “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.”
His first taste of managerial action with Birmingham City will come on Saturday, October 21, 2023, in a Championship clash against Middlesbrough.
The Blues sit 6th on the Championship table with 18 points and they will be aiming to gain promotion to the English Premier League.
