Wayne Rooney lined up for Birmingham job with Ashley Cole and ex-Man Utd team-mate expected to join coaching team

WAYNE ROONEY is ready for a quick return to English football after leaving DC United.

And the England and Manchester United icon is in the frame for the Birmingham City job.

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Birmingham boss John Eustace is keen on the vacant Rangers hotseat and Blues’ new US owners are eyeing Rooney as a replacement.

Eustace, who turned down Swansea in the summer, has taken Brum to sixth place in the Championship.

Rooney has a good relationship with Blues CEO Garry Cook, who previously worked at Manchester City.

Rooney left DC United — who he played for in his first spell in the US   — after they missed out on the MLS Cup play-offs.

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The 37-year-old took the MLS job in July 2022 after previously managing Derby County.

Rooney yesterday said: “It’s the right time. I’ve done everything I can to get this club into the play-offs. It’s not a single thing that’s happened. It’s about timing.”

DC United CEO and co-chairman Jason Levien said: “We have spoken with Wayne and agreed it is best for us to part ways at this time.

“We are grateful to Wayne Rooney for all he has done for our club.”

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Meanwhile, claims Rooney is already on the verge of nabbing two former teammates to join his backroom team.

First up is ex-Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole.

The 42-year-old moved into coaching with Derby following his retirement in 2019.

He then worked with Chelsea's youth stars before taking up the role of England U21s coach.

And in 2022 Cole was named first-team coach at Everton under Frank Lampard.

He returned to England's U21s after leaving the Toffees in January, and helped the Young Lions go all the way to Euros glory.

The second ace reportedly joining Rooney is ex-Man United pal John O'Shea.

He's worked as a first-team coach at Reading and Stoke since retiring in 2019.

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O'Shea, 42, also had a spell assistant of the Republic of Ireland's U21s.

And he is currently No2 of his national side's senior team.