Wayne Rooney offered massive salary at Birmingham that dwarfs previous boss John Eustace's wage

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney will be offered an eye-watering salary to take charge of Championship side Birmingham, according to reports.

The Blues parted company with Eustace on Monday morning, stating their desire to install a new manager who can implement a 'no fear playing style'.

Birmingham have had a strong start to the Championship season, and sit in sixth position after their 3-1 win over West Brom on Friday evening.

But that result was not enough to keep Eustace in his post, and the Blues, who were taken over by US-based Shelby Companies Limited in July, are now searching for his replacement.

On Monday, Sky Sports reported that the Midlands club have approached Rooney to take over the role, although talks have not yet officially begun as the United legend is still in the USA following his exit from DC United.

But according to The Sun, Birmingham will offer Rooney £1.5 million-a-year to take over at St Andrew's - over three times the amount that Eustace was receiving during his time at the club.

It is also claimed that Rooney has been offered more money that he was on while at DC United, and has been told the Birmingham job 'is his if he wants it'.

If Rooney does accept the role, it would represent a return to English football after 18-month spell at financially-stricken Derby.

While the ex-England captain had to work with exceptionally limited resources at Pride Park - reports claimed that the former striker's agency paid £1.5 million in player wages as the club desperately sought investment - it would be a different story at Birmingham.

The Midlands club have undergone financial peril of their own in recent years, with a transfer embargo imposed on them in 2018 and several near misses with relegation since then.

But the club's new ownership has shown a willingness to spend, with highly-rated full-back Ethan Laird being signed from Manchester United and winger Siriki Dembele joining from Bournemouth in the summer.

And Rooney would also link up with Krystian Bielik and Lee Buchanan, with both playing under him at Derby.

Should he get the job, it would be interesting to see whether he can keep up the side's momentum and guide them into the play-offs come season's end.

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