One of the finest footballers in the history of the English Premier League as well as the England national team Wayne Rooney has been sacked by EFL Championship side Birmingham City after only 15 games in charge of the club. The club was placed at fifth in the second-tiered league system of the English top-flight football prior to the appointment as the head coach, but the 38-year-old ex-Everton and Manchester United striker’s arrival saw the Blues further slip into a disappointing 20th place after 26 games played, trailing leaders Leicester City by 37 points at the moment.
Birmingham City’s Statement on the Sacking of Wayne Rooney
In an official statement titled “Blues part company with Wayne Rooney” at their official website, Birmingham City stated: “Birmingham City has today parted company with Manager, Wayne Rooney, and First Team Coach, Carl Robinson. Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset. Therefore, the Board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the Football Club. The Club’s Board and management are fully aligned and will continue to drive transformation and take bold steps to rebuild Birmingham City into the organisation its fans and community deserve.”
The EFL Championship side also added these on the former captain of the Red Devils: “The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Wayne and Carl for all of their efforts. Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, commented: “We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St. Andrew’s. Unfortunately, Wayne’s time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction. The search for a successor begins with immediate effect and we will update supporters when we have further news.”
Birmingham City ended their statement by addressing the temporary replacement to Wayne Rooney as the head coach of the first team. “Professional Development Coach, Steve Spooner, will assume responsibility for Men’s First Team matters on an interim basis. The remaining coaching staff will be required to continue with their duties to assist Spooner. No further comment will be made at this time,” said the two-time League Cup winners.
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Wayne Rooney’s Managerial Career Thus Far
In those 15 games in charge of Birmingham City, Wayne Rooney led the Blues to only two victories, coupled with nine defeats and four draws, hence the writing has been on the wall for the all-time leading goal scorer of Manchester United and the second leading goal scorer of the Three Lions to leave the club as the manager.
If we take a deeper look at Wayne Rooney’s managerial career so far, the 38-year-old only has a win rate of 26.1% as the head coach of Birmingham City as well as League One’s Derby County and Major League Soccer‘s D.C. United. The below par record is further translated into 40 wins in 153 games managed in all competitions, with 73 of those matches ended with Wayne Rooney’s team as the losing side. It is almost safe to say the man who known as versatile and hardworking player during his professional playing career has yet to find his feet as a football head coach.
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When Birmingham City sacked their manager and hired Wayne Rooney they were in 5th.
They are now 20th in the table. Have won two games in ten and are 21st in the form table. pic.twitter.com/if4M5mdVr9
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) January 1, 2024
Wayne Rooney’s Words on His Sacking
Former Everton, Manchester United, D.C. United and Derby County player Wayne Rooney too took to the internet to speak on his sacking as the Birmingham City manager. “I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club. Football is a results business – and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be. However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed,” said the 38-year-old.
The father of four sons Wayne Rooney also talked about taking a break from his managerial career to spend more time with his family while waiting for the next opportunity to arise. “Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16. Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager. Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions.”
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