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      My billionaire dad bought historic English football club then died a year later – I didn’t have a clue how to run them

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      THE daughter of former Southampton owner Markus Liebherr has revealed that her family had no idea how to run a football club when he took over.Swiss businessman Liebherr bought Southampton back in 2009, but tragically died of a heart attack the following year.
      Markus Liebherr bought Southampton in 2009, but passed away in 2010Credit: Getty
      Katharina Liebherr took over as the owner in 2010, even though she was completely new to the job and sportCredit: PA:Press Association
      Katharina (L) is now married to Mustafa Chaban (R)Credit: Katharina Liebherr, Mustafa Chaban/CEN
      His daughter, Katharina Liebherr, inherited the club and his £3billion fortune when he passed away.
      However, she had no experience in running a football club – nor did anybody in her family.
      Katharina said: “It was a shock when my father bought Southampton FC! As a family, we had no experience in this industry.
      “He bought the club in 2009 and died in 2010. I have never seen him as happy as he was this year. Even though he wasn’t allowed to witness any of our ascents, he still fulfilled his lifelong dream.”
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      Speaking about her father’s death, she added: “Those were dramatic days. When his death was announced, the next day there was a sea of flowers and football jerseys with his name in front of the stadium.
      “It was an incredible experience to see how respected he was there. It shows that he did a lot of things right in the year he was there.
      “The club would no longer exist without him. He dared the adventure and took the risk. He acted very quickly.
      “And, very important to him, he immediately took over all of Southampton’s outstanding invoices to ensure that no small company anywhere could get into financial difficulties when the club was threatened with insolvency.
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      Chaban is the head of the Dior branch in Zurich, SwitzerlandCredit: @chabanwasim/CEN
      “And I will never forget the reaction of people. People who didn’t actually know him mourned for him.
      “The people and the staff who hugged me with tears in their eyes – that’s what tied me to Southampton forever.”
      Having never worked in football before, let alone been put in charge of a club, Katharina faced scepticism from thousands of fans.
      Speaking about her experience, she explained: “I had stayed very much in the background the year before. The fans didn’t know what to expect.
      “I was okay with the fact that I had to prove myself first. I think the most important thing is to accept that you don’t know anything about football unless you’ve been on the pitch for 30 years.
      “You have to know what you can do and what you can’t do.”
      Katharina remained the owner of Southampton until 2017, when she sold an 80 per cent stake to Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng.
      The Swiss businesswoman has since admitted that she made the decision to sell up to prepare for “worse times”.
      She said: “You need a lot of capital. Especially in the Premier League. The heights aren’t really a problem.
      “With Ronald Koeman as coach and Ralph Krueger as chairman, we reached 6th place, and things went very well during the time that I was the sole owner.
      “But it is important to prepare for worse times. We were looking for partners for this.
      “My concern was always to find someone to whom I could pass the club into good hands.
      “I always wanted to stay there, but above all because I have a strong emotional bond with the employees and can build a bridge to a new owner.
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      “Mr Gao had similar values to my father. His daughter is the same age as me and she was also at the wedding. That would actually have been a good solution.”
      Katharina is now married to Mustafa Chaban, the head of the Dior branch in Zurich, Switzerland. More

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      Awkward moment on Wayne Rooney’s first day as Birmingham boss when security guard didn’t recognise Man Utd legend

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      WAYNE ROONEY rocked up for training at 7am on his first day as Birmingham City boss and a security guard asked him: Who are you?The former England captain turned down several job offers – including a moneybags proposal from a Saudi Arabian outfit – to take over at the Championship club following the sacking of John Eustace.
      Wayne Rooney has revealed the security guard didn’t know who he was when he arrived at Birmingham’s training groundCredit: Getty
      The England legend was appointed as Birmingham manager on WednesdayCredit: PA
      Rooney has not been able to sleep properly in recent days due to jetlag after flying back to the UK when he left his role last week with DC United in Washington.
      And he decided to get to the training ground HQ before sunrise to begin work after signing a three-and-a-half year deal with the Blues.
      Asked what surprised staff said when their new manager arrived so early, Rooney replied: “I don’t think he knew who it was!
      “I couldn’t sleep! But I think it’s important as a manager, you set examples to the staff.
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      “You want to be in, you want to be there, ready. There’s a lot of preparation as well that goes into the job.
      “That’s part of the role and that’s something I’ve always done – get in early and make sure preparations are right.”
      At the age of 37, this will be Rooney’s third managerial role, following a financial disaster with Derby County and then a poor display at the helm of MLS side DC United.
      Garry Cook used to run the Saudi Pro League before becoming Birmingham CEO in June following the takeover by a US consortium at St Andrew’s.
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      But during his time in the Middle East, Cook says he spoke with the ex-Manchester United forward about potentially moving to the oil-rich nation.
      Rooney said: “This is no disrespect to any of the managers who have gone out there by the way.
      “But for me, I felt my development, my pathway was a different way.
      “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 to do that.
      “But I think since speaking to Birmingham and seeing the ambitions of the club, where they want to go, where they want to get to, it excited me.
      “I want to be successful. It’s clear this club wants to be successful and everything we spoke about really was very similar.
      “It’s an exciting time and I’m delighted to be a part of it.
      “I’m sure I will have a few sleepless nights. That’s part of the job. That’s probably why I’ve aged about ten years in the past two years.”
      Rooney revealed he has barely slept since leaving Washington due to jet lagCredit: Reuters More

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      Meet the EFL’s ‘newest owner’, wacky maths whizz William Storey who owned a pet cheetah and was a pro gambler and farmer

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      BRITISH businessman William Storey is reportedly set to make his mark in the English Football League.The 45-year-old, who founded drinks brand Rich Energy in 2015, is understood to be interested in buying League One outfit Reading.
      William Storey is reportedly interested in buying ReadingCredit: Getty
      Storey is a British businessman and mathematician
      Reports claim that he is ready to wrap up a deal worth £50million and clear the club’s huge debt, but the Royals have denied that a deal has been agreed.
      An official statement released on Thursday afternoon read: “Reading Football Club would like to clarify that the process of the sale of the club is ongoing and, contrary to reports, there is currently no agreement in place with any party.
      “Several parties have approached the club in recent weeks with declarations of interest in purchasing the club.
      “All approaches are being assessed on their own merits to find the most suitable buyer to ensure a healthy future of the club and, at this stage, no single individual or entity has exclusivity in this process.
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      “We thank our supporters for their continued support, patience and understanding. As ever we will endeavour to keep our fans as informed as possible, and further updates will be provided as and when it is appropriate to do so.”
      Despite Reading’s reluctance to let any information of a potential takeover slip, Storey has remained firmly in the frame.
      The businessman has been desperate to invest in a football club in recent years, having failed in a bid to take over Sunderland in 2020 and Coventry City last year.
      But his potential involvement with Reading – who currently sit 22nd in the League One table after being relegated from the Championship last season – has raised some eyebrows given his fiasco in Formula One.
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      He once owned a pet cheetah while working on a farm in Zimbabwe
      Storey (R) pictured with Bernie Ecclestone (L) having previously worked in F1 as a team sponsor for HaasCredit: Linkedin William Storey
      Storey and Rich Energy signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Haas F1 team in 2018, but it was amicably terminated the following year due to the team’s poor performances.
      He was involved in another sponsorship saga last year, this time with British Superbike team OMG Racing Yamaha.
      However, the team issued a bizarre statement stating that they were not sponsored by Rich Energy’s owners – including storey – but but by “the global sales and distribution rights holder” for the drinks produced by the company.
      Aside from his attempts to take the sporting world by storm, Storey has led a very interesting life.
      He was educated at the Russell School in Petersham before moving to the Tiffin Boys’ School in Kingston upon Thames.
      The former F1 team sponsor studied mathematics at St Andrews University and gambled to pay his way through his studied after discovering an algorithm.
      He told RiverTribe: “I started at university and to supplement my income I developed a trading algorithm for horseracing using mathematics, which was my degree.
      “A meeting with Irish punting legend Barney Curley fired this passion. For two years I was a professional gambler and in recent years made significant bets on the outcome of the US elections and on the Referendum.
      “This philosophy on risk undoubtedly informs my business strategy.”
      Storey, who once had a pet cheetah called Boy and worked as a farmer in Zimbabwe, also claims he had a trial at Queens Park Rangers in 2000.
      Speaking to The Daily Mail in 2020, he admitted: “I trained with QPR for about a month when Gerry Francis was the manager.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It was round about 2000 with the first team. You had the likes of Iain Dowie, Peter Crouch was there at the time too.
      “I trained for about a month and played a couple of reserve games as a trialist.” More

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      Wayne Rooney reveals he snubbed other managerial opportunities to hold out for Birmingham job at first press conference

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY’S new manager Wayne Rooney revealed he had other offers before taking over at St Andrew’s.Rooney was announced as John Eustace’s replacement on Wednesday after leaving DC United.
      🗣️ “The goal is to get this club back in the Premier League.”Wayne Rooney speaks for the first time as Birmingham City manager 🔵 pic.twitter.com/lkmDWbo0hp— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 12, 2023

      Wayne Rooney had other offers before taking over at Birmingham CityCredit: Getty
      And the Manchester United legend confirmed he was also approached by other clubs looking to snatch his signature.
      However, the former Derby boss opted for the Blues because of their “exciting” ambitions.
      Rooney said during his first press conference: “For myself, firstly to get back into English football is great.
      “It’s obviously what I’ve wanted to do and to be honest I’ve had opportunities over the last four to six weeks at other clubs as well to do that.
      Read More on Football
      “But, thing is, speaking to Birmingham and seeing the ambitions of the club where they want to go to, where they want to get to excited me.
      “I want to be successful, it’s clear that the club want to be successful. It was a very easy decision once I’d spoke to them.
      “I’m coming into the club and I’m just really excited to get going. I’m happy to be back, bit jet lagged still…
      “But just excited to get going and I’m really looking forward to the next game because we have work to do and my first training session with the players will be a bit different to what they’re used to.
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      “But it’s an exciting time and I’m delighted to be a part of that.”
      Birmingham co-owner and NFL legend Tom Brady had been in regular talks with Rooney over the position in the last few weeks.
      The 37-year-old has brought in Ashley Cole and former United team-mate John O’Shea as coaches. More

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      Inside Wayne Rooney’s £20m ‘Morrisons mansion’ that boasts full-size football pitch, two fishing lakes, cinema and pool

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      WAYNE ROONEY is returning home to England and his family – and will be living in his £20million “Morrisons mansion” that has a full-size football pitch, two fishing lakes, cinema and a pool.The Manchester United and England legend has just been named as the new manager of Birmingham City and replaces the axed John Eustace at St Andrews.
      Wayne, Coleen and the rest of the Rooney family moved into their dream home in 2021Credit: Instagram
      Their £20m Cheshire home was dubbed the ‘Morrisons mansion’ during constructionCredit: BackGrid
      The house sits on a whopping 40 acres of land and has two fishing lakes, a cinema and pool
      Rooney is believed to have paid over £4m to a Cheshire property developer to build the gated home
      He will be joined at Brum by Arsenal and Chelsea icon Ashley Cole and former United team-mate John O’Shea who will be working alongside him as coaches.
      Rooney left MLS side DC United at the weekend after they failed to make the play-offs.
      He had been living with his coaching staff in Washington while wife Coleen and their four sons, Kai, Klay, Kit and Cass remained in England.
      However, after joining the Tom Brady-backed Blues he will be getting all the support he needs from his family as he returns home to join them full-time at their lavish Cheshire mansion.
      READ MORE ON SPORT
      Rooney, 37, and Coleen, also 37, boast a sizeable property portfolio, including homes in Florida, USA, the Caribbean and across the UK.
      But the jewel in the crown is their six-bedroom £20m palatial house which sits on a 40-acre piece of land.
      Built from scratch, the family moved in in December 2021.
      It is said to be located in Cheshire and is named High Lake Manor.
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      Rooney and his partner could even technically call themselves the lord and lady of the manor.
      We revealed back in its development how United’s all-time top scorer had a full-size football pitch installed at the property and it comes complete with a seating area.
      The five-a-side pitch even boasts changing rooms with showers for his mates – although he was blocked from installing floodlights because of his mansion’s rural location.
      He also boasts a garage for his collection of cars, a cinema, swimming pool, and even two man-made fishing lakes.
      Rooney is thought to be a keen angler.
      The house had been previously mocked for looking like a Morrisons supermarket by neighbours due to its size and architecture.
      But, unlike a Morrisons, it now boasts an orangery, bar, TV room, snooker room, cinema and wine cellar.
      And the luxury Rooney pad also has a huge indoor swimming pool surrounded by a glass pavilion, a hot tub, plunge pool, steam room and “his” and “hers” changing rooms.
      But that is not all – it boasts an extensive patio, landscaped gardens and a luxury car garage.
      Rooney is believed to have paid over £4m to a Cheshire property developer to build the mansion, which also has a guest toilet and separate lifts.
      That second lift also connects the main space to the basement floor, which sports a sprawling gym, pool, Jacuzzi and cinema room.
      The decision to build their dream pad came after raiders tried to break into Rooney’s Cheshire home in 2016 before cops pounced.
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      The ex-striker grew up in a council house in Liverpool – but he has shown off his real estate skills with his sprawling Barbados villa, which he rents out for £25,000 a week.
      He snapped up a £320,000 waterfront apartment in the Sunshine State of Florida in 2007 and splashed out £450,000 on a detached home in Liverpool for his parents to live in.
      Now he and Coleen, who are believed to be worth around £115m, own properties across the globe after getting together aged 16.
      Rooney burst through the ranks at boyhood club Everton as a teenager and starred for England at Euro 2004 before a big-money move to Manchester United.
      Under Sir Alex Ferguson he went on to lift the Champions League and the Premier League title five times.
      Rooney surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s record for both United and England to become the record goalscorer for club and country – the latter now being overtaken by Harry Kane.
      He made an emotional return to Everton in 2017 and finished that season as their top scorer before moving to the MLS to sign for DC United.
      The then veteran bagged 23 goals in 48 matches for the American side but headed back to England to join Championship club Derby County in the 2020/21 season in a surprise move.
      The property has a full-size five-a-side pitch in it for the kids to play inCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Rooney had been living away from his family in America while managing DC UnitedCredit: Instagram / @waynerooney
      The mansion has a garage for his collection of cars, a cinema and a swimming pool
      Rooney then retired from playing to take over as manager when the Rams were rock bottom of the table.
      He guided them to safety but resigned at the end of the following campaign after Derby were relegated to League One following a huge points deduction and returned to become boss at DC United.
      Rooney was in charge for 52 games, racking up just 13 wins and 26 defeats, before his departure but will now be tasked with guiding Birmingham back to the big time under their new American owners.
      After being announced as manager, Rooney said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City football club at such an exciting time.
      “It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club. We are fully aligned on what is expected.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity.
      “It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started.”
      The £20m mansion was dubbed a ‘Morrisons mansion’ when this snap emerged in constructionCredit: The Mega Agency
      Fans claimed it looked like the front of the supermarketCredit: Wikipedia
      The basement floor sports a sprawling gym, pool, Jacuzzi and cinema roomCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      Wayne Rooney named Birmingham manager after NFL icon Tom Brady lures Man Utd legend back to England

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      WAYNE ROONEY has been appointed as Birmingham City’s new manager.The Manchester United legend replaces John Eustace at St Andrews following his sacking earlier today.
      Wayne Rooney has been appointed as Birmingham managerCredit: Alamy
      Blues co-owner Brady was eager to bring him to the clubCredit: Getty
      John Eustace was sacked on MondayCredit: PA
      Birmingham co-owner and NFL legend Tom Brady had been in regular talks with Rooney over the position in recent weeks.
      The sporting icon believes he will be able to attract big names to the Blues and eventually lead them back to the Premier League.
      He has brought in Ashley Cole and former Manchester United team-mate John O’Shea as coaches.
      Both will retain their positions as coaches in their respective national teams, with Cole England’s Under-21 assistant coach and O’Shea the assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland.
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      And his first match in charge will be against another Red Devils pal, Michael Carrick, who is in charge of Middlesbrough.
      The 37-year-old is expected to take charge of his first training session tomorrow.
      A Birmingham statement said: “Birmingham City Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Wayne Rooney as Manager, agreeing terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract.”
      Birmingham chief executive Garry Cook famously tried to sign Rooney for Manchester City from Man Utd in 2010.
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      And now, 13 years on, Cook has finally got his man, albeit in a different capacity.
      On his appointment, Rooney said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City Football Club at such an exciting time.

      “It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club. We are fully aligned on what is expected.
      “I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity.
      “It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started.”
      Cook also expressed his “excitement” at Rooney’s arrival.
      Fans will be eagerly anticipating the England legend’s first starting XI at St. Andrews and how it may progress in the coming windows.
      Rooney began his managerial career in the Championship with Derby County.
      When he took over at Pride Park in November 2020, the Rams were rock bottom of the table, but they escaped relegation at the end of the campaign under the ex-striker’s guidance.
      Rooney resigned at the end of the following campaign after Derby were relegated to League One and went on to join MLS side DC United.
      Read More on The Sun
      He was in charge of the Washington-based team for 52 games, racking up just 13 wins and 26 defeats.
      Rooney previously managed Derby in the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      How Rooney’s Birmingham could line up in the future
      More to follow.
      THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Forgotten Harry Kane team-mate was Ballon d’Or nominee and wants to join fellow Aussie Postecoglou in Premier League

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      MASSIMO LUONGO hopes to join Ange Postecoglou as an Aussie hero in the Premier League with Ipswich.The Tractor Boys, riding high in the Championship after promotion from League One last season, are just two points off leaders Leicester and are eight clear of the play-off places after 11 games.
      Massimo Luongo is starring in the Championship with IpswichCredit: Rex
      The Aussie played for his country under Ange PostecoglouCredit: Getty
      Kieran McKenna has Ipswich dreaming of back-to-back promotions, something no side has achieved in over a decade.
      The squad are keeping their feet firmly on the ground, but having watched Australia turn into a nation of Tottenham fans since Postecoglou’s arrival, it is hard not to dream of converting a few of them to Ipswich.
      Luongo told SunSport: “That would be lovely… we’ll see.
      “What Ange is doing is incredible.
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      “Every Aussie is following Tottenham now, every Aussie is a secret Tottenham supporter. 
      “It is great to watch from afar. Being in this country, everyone knows he’s a genuine person. You can see that in his interviews and he’s got passion for the game, he is hungry for the success.
      “Has it surprised me? No, definitely not. I’m surprised that an Aussie had the opportunity to get into the Premier League. 
      “He’s already blown expectations out by doing that.”
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      Harry Kane is now starring at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      On Ipswich’s flying start, the midfielder added: “We’re doing alright, only 11 games in but we’re doing some good stuff and it’s enjoyable which is the main thing. 
      “Promotion last season was the plan but even now we’re not talking about promotion. 
      “We’re talking about building our performances. 
      “We know where we’re at, we’re not stupid. We’re second in the league but we need to stay humble and do the right things.”
      Luongo’s success at Ipswich has seen him recalled to the Australia squad ahead of Friday’s game with England at a sold out Wembley.
      The former Swindon man, 31, is relishing a reunion with former Spurs academy team-mate Harry Kane, but is also ready to see just how far Jude Bellingham has come since the two met in a 1-1 draw between Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday four years ago.
      Luongo said: “He is a top player, I played against him when he was at Birmingham and was 17. 
      “The hype was huge at that age. As an experienced Champ player you think he’s not that good but then you realise he’s 17. 
      “He matched the hype, for sure.
      “He was able to shine, he looked incredible. His brother is doing the same in the Championship. 
      Read More on The Sun
      “It will be a bit different playing Jude to Jobe, he’s got a few years on him. 
      “He is playing at the best club in the world, I always look forward to coming up against someone like that.”
      Luongo began his professional career at TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Bellingham starred for Birmingham as a teenagerCredit: Getty More

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      How Birmingham could line up under Wayne Rooney with Christian Benteke and unemployed Man Utd legend

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      BIRMINGHAM could look completely different under Wayne Rooney.Manchester United legend Rooney is set to take over the Blues after leaving his position at D.C. United in Major League Soccer.
      Wayne Rooney is set to take over at BirminghamCredit: PA
      Birmingham co-owner Tom Brady could help to fund a host of new signingsCredit: Getty
      SunSport understands the 37-year-old will pocket THREE TIMES the salary of predecessor John Eustace, who was sacked yesterday, if he takes the job.
      NFL legend and new co-owner Tom Brady is said to be worth an eye-watering £245million ($300million), and could bankroll a few fresh faces for the team under Rooney.
      And like he did at Derby and D.C. United, Rooney could use his links and pull power to bring in some big names.
      So who might be on the list and how could it look on paper?
      READ MORE ON ROONEY
      There are a number of former Man Utd stars who Rooney played with currently out in the football wilderness.
      Jesse Lingard is one such star who could be given a new lease of life in the Championship.
      Lingard was on trial at West Ham before jetting to Saudi Arabia to train with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq side.
      However, the 30-year-old has not yet been signed up by the Pro League outfit and Rooney could make a late call to convince him to return to England.
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      Jesse Lingard has not signed for Al-Ettifaq yet and remains availableCredit: Instagram @ettifaq
      Christian Benteke could return to England under RooneyCredit: Alamy
      Likewise, Phil Jones does not have a club at present but has begun coaching in the Man Utd academy.
      Should Jones, whose player contract with the club expired over the summer, seek to lace up his boots on the pitch again, Birmingham may represent the perfect chance to do so.
      Christian Benteke is another who Rooney recruited for his MLS side, and could also fancy a second go in England should the Evertonian come calling.
      One ambitious star Rooney could convince Birmingham chiefs to go for is goalkeeper David de Gea.
      The Spaniard won the Premier League golden glove last summer yet is without a club after seeing his Red Devils contract expire over the summer.
      Here’s how Birmingham could line up under Rooney
      He has been busy sharing clips of his training on Instagram, with fans convinced his most recent one came in light of another Andre Onana error for United.
      The 32-year-old would certainly need to take a huge wage cut to join the Blues, but getting back on his feet in the game may help to improve his prospects going forward.
      Scott McTominay is another star who Rooney could try to coax to St. Andrews.
      The Scot was the hero for Erik ten Hag’s side when they faced off with Brentford at the weekend, scoring two late goals as United snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
      However, with his game time limited, new surroundings could be beckoning for the 26-year-old.
      Read More on The Sun
      Birmingham currently sit in sixth in the Championship having won five of their 11 games so far.
      There is a strong core to the team already, but they will need improvements to if they are to return to the Premier League for the first time in more than a decade.
      David de Gea is a free agent and could relish the chance to get back into the gameCredit: AFP
      Scott McTominay is out of favour at Man Utd despite his heroics against BrentfordCredit: Reuters More