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 Oct. 21.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM SPORTING TRIBUNE
Amusan wins third consecutive Diamond League title
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has emerged winner of the Diamond League trophy for an astonishing third consecutive time. On Sunday night at Oregon in the U.S., Amusan with a time of 12.33 seconds emerged winner of the fiercely-contested 100 metres hurdles event….
The 5 Most Thrilling Premier League Finals That Shaped Football History
There’s no doubt that the Premier League is one of the most competitive football leagues in the world, filled with extraordinary talent, tactical brilliance, and captivating storylines. However, few things rival the exhilaration of a title race that comes down to the wire…..
AFCON: Sports Minister expresses displeasure over exclusion of Nigerian referees
Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan-Enoh has expressed displeasure over the non-inclusion of Nigerian referees amongst match officials listed for the 2023 AFCON slated for Cote D’Ivoire….
Foreign scouts for SPOCS International Football Tournament — Opanuga
Nationwide Division One League One (NLO) side SGFC Athletics Sports Club will take part in what seems to be one of the biggest scouting tourneys in the country, SPOCS Scouting Championship….