Ex-Manchester United centre-forward Dimitar Berbatov has offered his services to Birmingham City as an advisor following the appointment of his former teammate Wayne Rooney.
The Blues’ interest in Rooney was one of the worst-kept secrets in world football. Days before John Eustace’s dismissal at St. Andrew’s, Rooney left his position as head coach of DC United in the MLS.
Last Wednesday, the ex-Derby County boss was announced as Birmingham City’s new manager, a decision that has proven to be very divisive among supporters and pundits alike given that the team are sitting sixth in the Championship and that Eustace’s final game in charge was a 3-1 win over bitter rivals West Bromwich Albion in the West Midlands derby.
Nonetheless, Rooney is the man who was chosen to take the team forward and has brought his former club and country teammates John O’Shea and Ashley Cole with him. However, another old colleague has offered his services to the new Birmingham boss.
Speaking in a recent interview, ex-United number ‘9’ Berbatov has admitted he can bring something to the table, but not in a coaching capacity [quotes via the72]:
“I have my own journey and I don’t have any plans to go into coaching or management, but I’m always there to help and advise because I love football and I can bring something to the table.
“You never know in football. I’m curious to see how Wazza [Rooney] gets forward in this line of work because America is one thing, now he’s back in England and everything’s changed.
“Wayne is a big, big name in football. He knows that when you stop playing football, your name can get you places, but when it comes down to management you need to start from the beginning.”
Writer’s View
Berbatov was one of the most technically gifted forwards in the Premier League during the 2000s and was part of a successful Manchester United side that reached two UEFA Champions League finals while lifting two league titles.
He is not offering to come on board as a coach but the Bulgarian might be able to do some work with the likes of Scott Hogan, Lukas Jutkiewicz and even Oliver Burke to help improve their productivity in the final third.