Wayne Rooney plots management return that could prove Graeme Souness right

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney is plotting a return to management in Saudi Arabia just a month on from his sacking by Birmingham City.

Rooney was a controversial appointment at St. Andrew’s earlier in the season and presided over a terrible run of results for the Midlands side before being relieved of his duties in the first week of the new year.

But it sounds like he does not intend to be out of football for too long, with The Sun reporting that he is keen to manage a team in Saudi Arabia.

‘A lot to prove’

A source cited by The Sun said: “Wayne realises he still has a lot to prove, but he believes he has what it takes to be a manager and would love the chance to manage a team in Saudi Arabia.”

Following Rooney’s sacking by Birmingham in January, Graeme Souness penned a column for the Daily Mail criticising decision-makers at some clubs for appointing managers based on their name rather than their managerial credentials.

“I’m sorry to say that we no longer seem to live in a meritocracy when it comes to who gets some of the jobs in football,” Souness wrote. “Those doing the hiring want to be seen to be doing the right thing. Image is everything. Old-fashioned factors – like a proven track record and knowing your stuff – don’t seem to matter so much.

“It was the reason why Wayne Rooney was given the Birmingham City manager’s job back in October. He didn’t get the position on merit but because he’s a name in world football, with a major following on social media – 63million across all platforms, apparently.

“When social media commands such power that it can get you a job at a perfectly well-functioning football club – as Birmingham was when Wayne was hired – there will obviously be a lowering of standards. When X and Instagram are deemed a measure of your ability, then I’m afraid it’s a race to the bottom.”

If Rooney quickly gets a top job in Saudi Arabia, it would go some way to proving Souness’ point that some big-name managers are given roles for the wrong reasons.