Birmingham City have approached Wayne Rooney about becoming the club’s new manager following the sacking of John Eustace.
Eustace was removed from his job on Monday morning, despite Birmingham sitting sixth in the Championship, ending his reign at St Andrews which began in July 2022.
Since announcing his departure from DC United over the weekend, after the MLS side failed to make the play-offs, Rooney has been linked with a possible role at Birmingham in a return to managing in the Championship.
Now an initial approach has been made to the former Manchester United striker on becoming the new Birmingham boss.
However, with Rooney still in the US, no official talks have yet to take place between the manager and the club.
Wayne Rooney is the subject of a approach from Birmingham as they look for a new manager
John Eustace was sacked by Birmingham despite the club sitting sixth in the Championship
Rooney left his role at DC United over the weekend after the club failed to make the play-offs
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Birmingham made the decision to remove Eustace after he oversaw 21 wins in his 63 games in 15 months in charge, and has already been linked with the vacant post at Rangers.
On removing him from the hot-seat, the club released a statement stating: ‘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.
‘A new manager will be announced ‘in the coming days, who will be responsible for creating an identity and clear ‘no fear’ playing style that all Birmingham City teams will adopt and embrace’.
The move will spark memories of Brum’s failed move in 2016, when they replaced Gary Rowett, who had the club pushing for the Championship play-offs, with Gianfranco Zola after a takeover from Trillion Trophy Asia.
Rooney has previously managed in the Championship when he was boss at Derby County
It was a decision that backfired as Zola only managed two wins in his 24 games and was replaced by Harry Redknapp at the end of the season to help save the club from relegation.
Rooney could return to the Championship having previously experienced life in the second tier as boss of Derby. Unsuccessfully halting the side’s relegation from the division amid a backdrop of off-field drama at the club.
He was appointed manager of DC United in July 2022 but was unable to steer the club into this season’s MLS Cup play-offs and parted company with the Washington side.
If he is appointed Birmingham’s new boss he could bring in two former team-mates as part of the coaching set up, with Rooney wanting Ashley Cole and John O’Shea in his backroom staff.
