Soccer

Wayne Rooney poised for a quick return to management at Birmingham City

Championship club confirm the departure of former boss John Eustace

Wayne Rooney: poised for a return to English football as manager of Birmingham City. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Wayne Rooney: poised for a return to English football as manager of Birmingham City. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Ben Fisher
Mon Oct 09 2023 - 17:06

Wayne Rooney is poised for a swift return to management at Birmingham City.

Rooney, who left DC United last weekend after failing to reach the Major League Soccer playoffs, has been lined up to succeed John Eustace at St Andrew’s following his sacking on Monday.

Birmingham’s chief executive officer, Garry Cook, is said to be the driver behind the deal to bring the former England captain to the club. Last year Cook, previously chief executive of Manchester City, was part of Chris Kirchner’s failed bid to buy Derby County, the last club Rooney managed in England.

In a somewhat bizarre statement confirming Eustace’s departure on Monday morning, Birmingham said: “It is essential that the board of directors and the football management are fully aligned on the importance of implementing a winning mentality and a culture of ambition across the entire football club.”

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Birmingham’s statement added Eustace’s successor would be “announced in the coming days”.

After confirming his exit at DC United, Rooney said: “It’s the right time. I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing. I’m going back with nothing lined up.”

Former Republic of Ireland assistant manager John Eustace’s sacking will rankle with much of the Birmingham fan base, who widely credit the former Stoke and Watford midfielder with galvanising the club.

Eustace, who himself has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Rangers, departs with the club sixth in the Championship after an impressive start to the season, which continued with a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on Friday.

Birmingham finished 17th last season.