Four days after leaving D.C. United, Wayne Rooney on Wednesday was named coach of second-flight Birmingham City in his native England.
Rooney, 37, signed a 3½-year contract, according to the club, which is seeking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2010-11. The Blues (5-3-3) are in sixth place in a 24-team league that annually promotes three sides to the top-tier circuit.
“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.