Birmingham City has made the difficult decision to part ways with Wayne Rooney as the team’s manager. This decision comes after a string of disappointing results, with the club losing nine out of their last 15 matches — the latest being a 3-0 blanking at the hands of Leeds United on Monday.
Rooney, a legendary figure in English football, took charge of Birmingham City with high hopes and expectations. However, the team’s recent performances have fallen short of the desired standards, leaving the club languishing in the lower half of the table.
“We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St. Andrew’s,” said Chief Executive Officer Garry Cook in an official statement. “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.”
“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,” Rooney in his own statement. “Football is a results business — and I recognize 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. 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.”
The thirty-eight year-old Rooney joined Birmingham City after resigning from MLS side DC United saying “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. Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback.”
The English legend also managed Derby County and plans to continue managing despite the poor record to begin this state of his career.
John O’Shea, Ashley Cole, and Pete Shuttleworth, all coaches whom Rooney brought along with him to begin his tenure will stay on at Birmingham City to assist Steve Spooner, who has been appointed interim manager.
