Birmingham City have fired John Eustace and are set to appoint Wayne Rooney as their next manager.
The dismissal of Eustace by Birmingham City and subsequent pursuit of Rooney has startled the Football League faithful this morning.
Eustace was doing an excellent job at St Andrew’s, with a 3-1 win over rivals West Brom on Friday, placing them in sixth place in the Championship league heading into the international break this month.
And, while Rooney is a well-known former player, he has yet to demonstrate much skill in the dugout during stints with Derby County and D.C. United, so his apparent hiring is alarming for many Blues fans.
However, an appointment does not appear to be finalized just yet. At the eleventh hour, the Blues may consider other choices, one of whom may be Mark Warburton.
The former QPR manager was extensively connected with the Birmingham City job until his former QPR no.2 Eustace secured it, and Warburton is now unemployed after leaving his coaching position at West Ham in the summer.
Birmingham City to sign Warburton?
Warburton did not have a long playing career. But, as a manager, he’s tried and true, and he’s a far better choice than Rooney.
He might have taught Eustace a lot of what he knows, and Eustace ended up performing well at Birmingham City.
And Warburton’s recent stint with West Ham will only add to his managing experience and reputation, with the 61-year-old having previously managed Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Rangers, and QPR.
Birmingham City appear to be focused on signing Wayne Rooney, but the club should seriously evaluate if he is the appropriate man for the job.
According to the club statement on Eustace, the Blues want a manager who prefers daring, no-fear football, which Warburton demonstrated at QPR, where the R’s became a serious attacking danger under his guidance.
Warburton, for the time being, is only a name on a list of available coaches.
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