Wayne Rooney will return to England amid links with Birmingham City after leaving DC United

'I really liked it here. But I just feel now is the time to come back to England,” he said. Wayne Rooney has announced his departure from DC United Photo: Getty Images/Bastien Inzaurralde

Wayne Rooney has left Major League Soccer's DC United amid renewed rumors of a return to English football with Birmingham City.

Telegraph Sport reported that Rooney is a Birmingham target after US-based Shelby Companies Limited discussed making a high-profile appointment following its takeover in July. John Eustace remains in charge of the club, which sit sixth in the Championship after a promising start to the new campaign.

“What lies ahead, I don’t know,” Rooney said after confirming his departure. from D.C. United after they failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs. “I have seen many reports in the media. I will return with nothing.

Birmingham's chief executive is Harry Cook, who held a similar role at Manchester City and is close to Rooney's camp.

«Now is the right time,» Rooney said of his departure from MLS.

< p>When contacted by Telegraph Sport, Birmingham officials declined to comment, but links have intensified since Rooney's son Kai began signing players Birmingham on Instagram

“I think I did everything I could to try and get the club into the play-offs. It's not just one thing, but a matter of timing in your career. I really enjoyed my time here. But I just feel like now is the time to go back to England. I don’t know what lies ahead.”

Rooney first moved to MLS in 2018, spending 15 months in Washington as a player, and returned last summer after cutting his teeth on managerial skills at Derby.

The 37-year-old has improved his points tally in the squad D.C. United but is returning to England to consider its next move.

CEO and co-chairman Jason Levien said: «We've talked.» with Wayne and agreed that it was best for us to part ways at this time.

“This decision allows our next general manager to have the full opportunity to bring a new philosophy and structure to our sporting operations. , which begins with a critical determination of the manager who will best meet these requirements.

“We are grateful to Wayne Rooney for everything he has done for our club and for football in the nation's capital, first and foremost as a player and captain of DC United, and more recently our coach. He remains an important part of the DC United family and a valued and cherished friend.»