Wayne Rooney appointed manager at Tom Brady-owned Birmingham - ESPN

Wayne Rooney will return to management in England after being appointed manager of Championship side Birmingham City on a three-and-a-half year, the club announced on Wednesday.

Manchester United legend Rooney left his role as D.C. United head coach on Sunday after his side failed to reach the Major League Soccer playoffs for a second successive season and joins Birmingham, where NFL legend Tom Brady announced in August he became a minority owner and advisory board chair.

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Rooney's former teammates Ashley Cole, who he played with at England, and John O'Shea, who he shared time with at Manchester United, will join his coaching staff.

«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."

Rooney replaces John Eustace as manager, whose Birmingham side were sixth in the Championship with five wins from their opening 11 games before his 15-month spell in charge was brought to an end on Monday.

Eustace helped Birmingham avoid relegation last season in trying circumstances caused by two failed takeover bids and the looming threat of a points deduction due to a breach of EFL regulations.

«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 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