Birmingham City have confirmed the appointment of Wayne Rooney as their new manager.
The 37-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract at St Andrew's, keeping him at the Championship outfit until 2027.
The news comes just three days after Rooney left MLS side DC United by mutual consent, having failed to steer the capital outfit into the playoffs in America.
The former England captain insisted that he did not have a job lined up when stepping down, but he has been heavily linked with a move to Birmingham for a number of months due in part to their American ownership.
An appointment at St Andrew's moved a step closer earlier this week when Birmingham sacked manager John Eustace despite currently sitting in the Championship playoff places, and the club have now confirmed Rooney's arrival.
Birmingham City Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of @WayneRooney as Manager, agreeing terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) October 11, 2023
Welcome to Blues, Wayne! 🤝🔵
Rooney will be joined at the club by a coaching staff which includes former teammates Ashley Cole and John O'Shea, both of whom will juggle their current international coaching roles with their new domestic jobs.
"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," Rooney said in a statement.
"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."
© Reuters
Co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner added: "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."
Birmingham CEO Garry Cook also commented on the appointment, saying: "We are incredibly excited by Wayne's arrival. When the opportunity presents itself to appoint a manager who shares your ambition and is both a student and a great of the game, then you act. This is what we have done.
"We are confident that his appointment, supported by his hand-picked coaching staff, will culminate in a young, attack-minded team that will excite our fans.
"The timing of the appointment will allow Wayne to evaluate the playing staff and work with Craig Gardner on the squad's recruitment needs ahead of the January and summer transfer windows. This is a defining moment for the football club."
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Rooney enjoyed a legendary playing career which saw him become the record goalscorer for both Manchester United and England, although the latter mark has since been surpassed by Harry Kane.
In total, Rooney scored 313 goals in 763 club appearances throughout his career, as well as 53 goals in 120 international outings, picking up five Premier League titles, a Champions League, a Europa League, an FA Cup, three EFL Cups, and a FIFA Club World Cup along the way.
However, he has not scaled such heights in his managerial career as yet, having suffered relegation with a financially-stricken Derby County side before spending the last 15 months in charge of DC United.
Rooney has won 38, drawn 36 and lost 64 of his 138 matches in management to date, posting an overall win percentage of 27.5%.
Eustace, meanwhile, won 21 of his 63 games as Birmingham boss for a win percentage of 33.33%.
Barney Corkhill
