Wayne Rooney named new Birmingham manager

Wayne Rooney has been appointed as the new Birmingham City manager and he will begin his new journey with an away trip to Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has been named as the new Birmingham City manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract after he left DC United a few days ago.

The Tom Brady-owned club replaced John Eustace with the former England international, with Eustace helping the club avoid relegation last season and also leaving them in sixth so far this season with six wins in eleven championship games.

"I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity," Rooney said in a statement. It's a project that gives me a sense of purpose, and I can't wait to get started."

"Wayne is a born winner," Birmingham co-owner Tom Wagner said. "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 us realize the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City.

"Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he embarked on his coaching education while still a player at Manchester United. He and his staff have the full support of the board and everyone at the football club."

Wayne Rooney’s second spell in the Championship will begin with a trip to struggling Middleborough. Rooney will be assisted by his former England teammate Ashley Cole and his former United teammate John Oshea.

Rooney’s first spell as a manager in England was at Derby County, a club he steered out of relegation troubles in his first season, having been appointed midway through the season but couldn’t keep the club up following a 21-point deduction for league breaches. His 55-point haul would have kept Derby safe.