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Wayne Rooney has been named Birmingham City boss on his return to English football following his stint as manager of DC United.
Rooney has joined Birmingham side that has impressed this season under John Eustace, who was sacked earlier this week. The club sit sixth in the Championship with five wins in their opening 11 games. The West Midlands side hit the headlines earlier this year after a takeover which saw seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady buy a minority stake in the club, as well as being named the chairman of its advisory board.
With the new backing, Rooney will be hoping to lead his new club to the Premier League where they haven't played since the 2010/11 season. His first game in charge will be away to Middlesbrough on October 21 while his first game at St Andrew's will be the following week on October 25 against Hull City.,
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Upon his appointment, Rooney 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.
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“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 co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner described Rooney as a "born winner". He added: "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.”
The Manchester United legend only announced his departure from DC at the weekend after he failed to guide the side to the MLS play-offs. The 37-year-old said it was the "right time" for him to return to England and insisted he didn't have a job lined up.
"I've done everything I can to try and get the club into the playoffs," he said. "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."
Birmingham will be Rooney's second job in the Championship, having managed Derby County from 2020 to 2022 where he had to endure the club being in administration in his final season in charge as the club were relegated to League One.
- Wayne Rooney
- Manchester United FC
- Championship
- Nfl
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