Rooney says he rejected offer in Saudi Arabia before taking Birmingham job
Wayne Rooney said he rejected an offer to manage in the Saudi Pro League before choosing to take charge of Birmingham City.
The former Manchester United and England striker, who previously coached DC United and Derby County, was appointed Birmingham manager on Wednesday, with the club lying sixth in the second-tier Championship.
Birmingham’s chief executive, Garry Cook, said he had tried to bring Rooney to the desert kingdom in his previous role as CEO of the Saudi Pro League.
“We discussed Saudi Arabia. It wasn’t going to happen,” said Cook at a joint press conference with Rooney on Thursday.
A move to Saudi Arabia would have seen Rooney follow former England teammate Steven Gerrard, who was appointed manager of Al-Ettifaq in July.
Rooney said his decision was “no disrespect” to managers who had chosen to move to Saudi Arabia, adding, “For me, I felt my development, my pathway, was a different way.
“I think for myself, firstly, to get back into English football is great. It’s what I’ve wanted to do.
“I’ve had opportunities over the last four to six weeks at other clubs as well, but since speaking to Birmingham, it was a really easy decision.
“I want to be successful. It’s clear this club wants to be successful, and everything we spoke about was very similar.”
Birmingham will play at Middlesbrough on October 21.
(Reuters/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Abuja
Tinubu approves women affairs secretariat for FCTA
The minister said the mandate secretary for women’s affairs would likely be inaugurated on Monday.
States
NMDPRA seals four filling stations in Cross River
NMDPRA officials visited over 50 filling stations during the inspection exercise.
States
Kano govt conducts mass wedding for 1,800 couples
The wedding Fatihah was conducted at the palace of the Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, on Friday.
Abuja
62 cases of missing male organs reported in Abuja in three weeks: Police
“The first case of male organ disappearance was first recorded in Gwagwalada on the 21/09/2023.”
Abuja
One Chance: Police recover axes, knives in 10 impounded vehicles, arrest suspects in FCT
He said the vehicles were impounded by the command’s newly created ‘Anti-One Chance Squad’ to curb the menace within the FCT.
World
Israel-Hamas War: Civilians asked to leave Gaza as Israeli military amasses tanks
Hamas, which controls the strip, told residents to stay put and vowed to fight to the last drop of blood.