MLS
Wayne Rooney is set to look for transfer bargains in MLS
The English manager left DC United to join second-tier side Birmingham and is now looking at transfer targets from MLS.
Just 48 hours after leaving DC United and MLS, Wayne Rooney was announced as the new manager of Birmingham City, in England’s second division. It was the second time in his career that the former Manchester United forward had left the US for home soil: as a player, Rooney left DC United for the first time to join Derby County, who he then went on to manage (and was relegated to England’s third division). Now, he’s made the transatlantic journey once again, flying back to the midlands.
Almost 4 years in MLS has created a relationship between the former player and the league that has turned into a valuable bond in terms of contacts, player knowledge and team understanding. This is why the Liverpool-born manager looks set to point his telescope back across the water to take a look at potential reinforcements for his new club side during the upcoming winter window.
Which players from MLS could Rooney sign?
In fact, there has already been a name linked with a move from Miami to Birmingham: Inter Miami’s Josef Martínez. The Venezuelan scored 12 goals in 40 appearances for The Herons and is now a free agent after being released by the Leagues Cup 2023 champions. Lionel Messi’s former team-mate and close friend Luis Suárez has been linked with a move to replace the outgoing forward.
The Blues are struggling in the division, and sit firmly in mid-table of the mammoth 24-team league, just a handful of points away from the dreaded relegation zone. The team, who have NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority owner (he holds less than 10% and is not listed as a ‘significant person’ according to government documents) have the Premier League in their sights, although it looks a long way off at the moment, with teams like Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds dominating so far this season. After three games, Rooney is yet to pick up a single point as part of the new project.
Rooney could cherry pick talent from DC United
With the new-style MLS playoffs underway, many important players in the league are yet to make a decision on their future, and a large number of key figures in the division could yet make the move away from the United States and onto pastures new. Carlos Vela, Nico Lodeiro or Stefan Frei are just three examples of top players whose futures are up in the air and could well leave the league in the near future.
As well as this, Rooney could plan to raid his former team, DC United, for talent. Benteke, Klich and Pirani all shone during the regular season for the side who finished 12th in the Eastern Conference, and there are plenty of young players in the ranks of the side who made a good impression on their ex-manager.