Wayne Rooney, the iconic former Manchester United star, is on the brink of a coaching resurrection in Saudi Arabia, marking a surprising turn in his managerial journey.

The football world witnessed Rooney’s abrupt departure from Birmingham City at the beginning of last month, concluding a tumultuous 13-week tenure. With just two victories in 15 games, Rooney’s brief stint took Birmingham from a promising fifth in the Championship table to a concerning 20th position.

Despite this setback, Rooney’s overall coaching career has shown promise, with notable spells at Derby County and DC United. Following his departure from St Andrew’s, Rooney took a brief hiatus from the football scene, including a well-deserved holiday in Dubai.

Now, just over a month after his dismissal, Rooney seems ready to make a managerial comeback. With opportunities in England appearing scarce in the immediate future, the former striker is exploring new horizons. Recent reports suggest that Rooney is eyeing a coaching role in the Saudi Pro League.

The Sun reports that Rooney is eager to re-enter the management scene and is undeterred by the challenges faced at Birmingham City. Instead, he sees it as a learning experience and expresses a genuine interest in leading a team in the competitive Saudi Arabian league. Drawing on his successful stint with DC United in Major League Soccer (MLS), Rooney believes he can apply his managerial skills to the Saudi top-flight.

Sources indicate that there is expected to be significant interest from Saudi clubs in securing Rooney’s services. The move aligns with the broader strategy to attract prominent names in football to boost the league’s global profile, evident in the high-profile transfers witnessed last summer.

While Rooney maintains a long-term ambition to manage in the Premier League, he acknowledges that such an opportunity might be some distance away. Despite his recent hiatus announcement, Rooney is demonstrating a keen desire to dive back into coaching, driven by a genuine passion for the sport.

In a statement following his exit from Birmingham, Rooney expressed gratitude to the club’s leadership and emphasized his intention to take some time away from coaching. This hiatus evidently served as a period of reflection, learning, and, ultimately, a renewed eagerness to embrace the challenges of football management.

Rooney’s potential move to Saudi Arabia adds another intriguing chapter to his evolving managerial journey. The allure of the Saudi Pro League’s financial backing and ambitions to become a football powerhouse may pave the way for Rooney to showcase his coaching prowess in an entirely new setting.