Wayne Rooney made first choice for Birmingham manager’s job as Rangers chase John Eustace

Former Manchester United and England hero Wayne Rooney is currently managing D.C United over in America but is keen to return to the UK and is being considered as a potential replacement for John Eustace

Wayne Rooney is being lined up to take over the reins at Birmingham if John Eustace departs(AP)

Wayne Rooney has emerged as a leading contender for the manager’s job at Birmingham City, should John Eustace be prised away from St Andrew’s.

The former England great will be top of the list if Eustace, who is being linked with a number of jobs, leaves the Second City club. Rooney is currently in charge of DC United in the MLS but is known to want to return to English football to re-build his career after a turbulent spell at Derby County.

His 12 months in charge at Washington have shown some improvement but, despite staying loyal to the cause at Pride Park during the club’s chaotic administration, he was unable to prevent the Rams from dropping into League One. He went Stateside, returning to the club where he spent one season five years ago and his potential appointment at Brum would add the kind of pizzazz the club’s new American owners, Knighthead Capital, are looking for.

The investment house has already unveiled Tom Brady as an investor and the seven-time Super Bowl winner has made a trip to Small Heath to look at the club into which he has sunk his money. Birmingham’s new chief executive Garry Cook will be keen to act decisively should anything happen to Eustace and Rooney will be his first port of call.

The Blues, who signed 13 players this summer, remain unbeaten in the Championship so far this term and Eustace’s name has this week been mentioned in connection with Rangers. Michael Beale’s position at Ibrox is under serious threat after a humiliating Champions League exit and defeat to arch-rivals Celtic has further undermined his position.

Eustace has credit in the bank following his first full season in the job when Brum survived, having squeezed as much as they could from the loan market while the club’s despised Chinese owners fought a running battle with furious fans who wanted them gone.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder has forged a good relationship with the club’s supporters and the manager’s stock rose even further this summer after he rejected the chance to speak to Swansea City.

The Blues’ bright start to the campaign has again caught the eye of several suitors, leading Brum’s decision-makers to line up potential replacements.

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