Wayne Rooney has left D.C. United with immediate effect, he's already being lined up by another club

Wayne Rooney has left his role as DC United head coach with immediate effect – and he's already being heavily linked with a return to England.

The 37-year-old former Manchester United striker, who joined the Washington-based side in July last year, enjoyed his first and only full season at the helm, finishing with a total of 40 points.

But after DC failed to reach the MLS Cup play-offs, Rooney left his role on Saturday by mutual consent.

"It's the right time. I've done everything I can to get this club into the play-offs," said Rooney. "It's not a single thing that's happened. It's about timing."

DC managed to secure a win over New York City FC in their final regular-season match but for the fourth consecutive year, they missed on the play-offs.

“We have spoken with Wayne and agreed it is best for us to part ways at this time," added the club's chief executive and co-chairman Jason Levien.

He added: "This decision creates the avenue for our next general manager to have the full opportunity to impart a new philosophy and structure onto our sporting operations, which begins with the critical identification of a head coach who will best align with this.

"We are grateful to Wayne Rooney for all he has done for our club and for soccer in the nation's capital, first as a DC United player and captain and most recently as our coach."

So what next for Rooney? Well, it appears Championship side Birmingham City have a "strong interest" in bringing the former England international to St Andrew's, according to Football Insider.

Birmingham have made an impressive start to the 23/24 campaign under John Eustace, and sit sixth in the Championship after picking up five wins from 11 games.

But it appears the club's American owners Knighthead Capital, led by Tom Wagner, are keen on appointing a big-name, with Rooney being admired by those on the board.

In fact, Rooney is seen as having "the profile, potential and status to elevate the club", according to the above report.

If Rooney does join the Championship club following his spell in America, then current Birmingham manager John Eustace will have plenty of suitors.

Several clubs in England and beyond are monitoring the situation of Eustace following the club’s impressive start to the campaign.

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