Wayne Rooney has been appointed as the coach of Birmingham City, a second-flight club in England, after leaving D.C. United. The 37-year-old signed a 3½-year contract, with the club aiming to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2010-11. Birmingham City is currently in sixth place in a 24-team league. Rooney said he has been working on his managerial career and is excited to begin his new role.
Wayne Rooney left D.C. United after his contract expired at the end of the year, and the club lost hope of qualifying for the MLS playoffs this fall. Rooney and CEO Jason Levien agreed to part ways in a private meeting last Thursday, despite a 2-0 season-ending victory over New York City FC, and it’s time for D.C. United to take the long view after Rooney’s exit.
Manchester United hired former England national team star Rooney in July 2022 as a steppingstone to further his coaching career in Europe. Rooney began his managerial tenure with Derby County and had a 1½-year stint with United, ending in 2019. Returning to Washington, Rooney faced a mess and implemented greater structure and organization. United finished with a 10-14-10 record, with a 2-5-5 slide down the stretch. Despite finishing last in the Eastern Conference last year, United officials expected to get into the playoffs, a modest goal in a 15-team conference.
Wayne Rooney, a former Manchester United player, has been appointed as the new head coach of Birmingham City. The appointment was made following the Blues’ firing of John Eustace, a former player. The club’s chief executive, Garry Cook, stated that there was a misalignment with the club’s leadership. Rooney’s staff will include two of his D.C. assistants: Pete Shuttleworth, who had joined the club from Derby County last year, and Carl Robinson, a former Vancouver Whitecaps head coach hired by D.C. United to add MLS experience. The appointment follows a misalignment with the club’s leadership.
