Latest reports emerging in the UK suggest that Wayne Rooney’s next club has been lined up. The former England international is set to return to the Championship, the second tier of the English soccer pyramid, to manage Birmingham City. Along with Rooney, however, a name that has given Cristiano Ronaldo nightmares will also be joining Birmingham.
Reports from BBC suggest that Rooney, along with former Manchester United teammate John O’Shea and former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, a defender Ronaldo dreaded from his first stint at Manchester United, will join the Championship team. Birmingham’s current manager John Eustace has not left the club yet. However, he is being linked to the job at Rangers in Scotland.
Birmingham have had a solid start to their 2023/24 season. They finished 17th in the Championships last season with 14 wins out of 46 matches. Eustace, who was appointed in July 2022, could not do much for the Birmingham side that finished 20th a season before. However, this season, the club has picked up five wins out of 11 matches. They sit in the sixth spot with 18 points.
🚨 Wayne Rooney’s move to Birmingham is done. ✅🤝
John O’Shea and Ashley Cole are expected to join his new coaching staff.
(Source: @1AaronPaul) pic.twitter.com/3yoCEREYHP
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 8, 2023
It has also been stated that Birmingham’s new owners are looking for a change of face in management. They are enticed by the big name of Wayne Rooney. In the likely event that Eustace leaves, Rooney has been touted as the next manager. However, he did not open up about his next endeavors.
“What lies ahead, I don’t know. I’ve seen a lot of reports in the media. I’m going back with nothing lined up,” he said after parting ways with DC United, according to The Mirror.
Rooney joined DC United in July 2022. He parted ways with the MLS club after failing to take them to the playoffs for two seasons.
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that Ashley Cole was the best defender he has faced
In a career that has spanned over two decades, Ronaldo came up against multiple world-class defenders. He has faced defenders that have gone down in the history books for great things. However, when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was asked about his toughest opponent, he named someone most people wouldn’t be able to guess
“Over the years I had some great battles with Ashley Cole, he does not give you a second to breathe,” the 38-year-old said.
Ashley Cole. The greatest left-back of all time. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/IZ5x8a7fVu
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) June 13, 2022
“He was such a tenacious player when he was at his peak, quick, tough in the tackle. You knew it would never be an easy game.”
One of the most famous battles between the pair came during their Euro 2004 encounter. Although England conceded two goals and lost the match on penalties, Cole was a standout performer against Ronaldo and Portugal. The winger was pocketed by Cole in a colossal performance. Going further, Cole had done a great job sticking to Ronaldo when the pair met during Manchester United vs. Chelsea matches.