Wayne Rooney felt ‘my pathway was different’ after rejecting Saudi Arabia option

New Birmingham boss Wayne Rooney says he felt his “pathway was a different way” after being approached about managing in Saudi Arabia.

Rooney was unveiled as Blues manager at a press conference at St Andrew’s on Thursday, where he sat alongside the club’s chief executive Garry Cook.

Cook assumed that role in July after Birmingham were taken over by US-based Shelby Companies Limited, having previously been working as executive president and chief executive of the Saudi Pro League.

Jordan Henderson and manager Steven Gerrard – two of Rooney’s former England team-mates – are among the high-profile names to have moved to the league in recent months.

When Rooney was asked if he had had an offer from Saudi Arabia, Cook said: “We discussed it, (but) it wasn’t going to happen.”

Rooney added: “That’s no disrespect to anyone who has gone out there – for me, I felt my development, my pathway was a different way.”

The ex-Everton and Manchester United forward arrives at Birmingham after stepping down as DC United boss last weekend.

WR: "Having played here, knowing how hostile it can be, I am glad I am on this side of it now. My job is to put a team out that the fans want to come and watch, want to come and support. I am ready to take this Club forward. It is an honour to be here." pic.twitter.com/Y3RSyycrtN

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) October 12, 2023

In August, Birmingham announced Tom Brady had became a minority owner at the Sky Bet Championship club, and on conversations with the former NFL star, Rooney said: “We spoke about the Super Bowl in February! It was great, I went to it.

“Speaking to Tom about the club and his role, how he is being really involved, his enthusiasm for it, (it) is refreshing. I think we’re both on the same page,