Wayne Rooney makes a dig at Birmingham’s owners in his statement just minutes after being sacked by the club, and it’s riled fans up.
He was axed by the Championship strugglers after just 15 games in charge, of which he lost nine.
They had bene 6th sixth in the standings when he arrived in October, but now they sit just six points above the drop zone in 20th place.
Despite his nightmare record, Rooney felt that he wasn’t given enough time to make the necessary changes and made his thoughts clear to the club’s owners.
Rooney said on Twitter: “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.
“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.”
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) January 2, 2024
Birmingham said in their statement announcing the decision to part ways: “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 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.”
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.
“An unmitigated disaster”
Rob Dorsett discusses Wayne Rooney’s time as Birmingham manager 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/5ITDpowbwY
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 2, 2024
Twitter users gave their reaction as Wayne Rooney makes a dig at Birmingham’s owners in his statement just minutes after being sacked…
@DippyDon_95: What changes were needed? They were in the play off places and now find themselves in a relegation scrap 😂
@JerryThe_Berry: Never once took responsibility for results, it’s taken him being sacked to even acknowledge it. Right decision, now go and get Cooper, I beg 🙏 #BCFC
@sportscardsdash: 13 weeks is a quarter of a year and there was not a single positive #bcfc #kro
@ILPadrino1994: 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee changes that were needed?! You gained 10pts and went from playoff battle to relegation battle! Ffs 😅🤦♂️
@maximwallis: Terrible manager who never once took any accountability right until the very end. Thanks Wazza you were pretty useless!
@whatcaffle43: Just swallow your pride and say it didn’t work 🥱
@conner_1875: Give over, after 13 weeks of so little sign of development and progression. I don’t think you can’t expect to be in post any longer. He won’t be missed 👋 Now please can we appoint someone who will bring this fanbase back together and bring back the excitement of following #BCFC
@JAH2022s: Blues have dropped 14 places since he took them over. Absolutely honking manager.
@KEIA96_: Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Bristol City and even Rotherham. Only in the Championship this season we’re seeing the majority of teams with a new manager becoming good in a week or so. If 13 fucking weeks isn’t enough that’s your significant problem
@DominicR26: Definitely needs to reflect on why it’s been such a disaster. If he thinks it’s just a lack of time or he didn’t have the right players then he may as well pack it in now
@lou1875: Took us from 5th to 20th in those 13 weeks but not sufficient time to oversee changes that were needed? You were a brilliant player there’s no denying that but please just accept that you aren’t cut out for management! #BCFC #KRO
@LUFC_WorldWide: ‘I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed’ – Mate, they were 6th when you took over and you left them in 20th
@ajsb04: As a life-long blues fan, I am disgusted to see the treatment of the greatess manager EVER in our history. Tom Wagner and Tom Brady should be ashamed. We have lost our darlin Wayne. #WayneIN #WagnerOUT #BradyOUT
@HelBanks2: This just shows what we have all said. He will always believe he is blameless, taking a team from 5th to 20th, how much more time did you want? 🤡 No acknowledgment of the players or fans speaks volumes too. I know a lot of fans turned on him in the end but this is classless. 👋🏼
@Jay_Evans1997: Problem for Rooney is there weren’t changes that needed to be made. Family time isn’t going to make you a better coach, be an assistant, part of someone’s coaching staff. Learn and gain experience. Common sense.
@2022benclay:
Is having a laugh?
Failed in the mls
Failed with blues
Bloke needs to stick being a Shrek double
@MarfsBack: I agree what they asked of him couldn’t be achieved with this squad and 13 weeks isn’t enough time. However in those 13 weeks there was no sign anything was changing positively other than the odd 20 minute patches sprinkled here and there. 2 wins in 15 warrants a sacking
@_jpe494: Not one mention of the fans who had to sit through the dross performances and pre-match drivel in interviews. 13 weeks is not enough time, don’t buy that at all #bcfc
@HazzaC2104: “I don’t believe 13 weeks was sufficient” tell it like it is Wayne, 2 wins. 10 points out of a total of 45. Happy to see the back of him #BCFC
@ryanbcfc94: What a daft statement, 13 weeks was sufficient for us to go from top 6 to 20th. That is worthy of a sacking in any line of work!
@SimplyWazza: The lack of accountability in british football is incredibly high man. Birmingham were 5th when Rooney took over now they’re 20th with only 2 wins in that period. Any club would sack you. Loved him as a player but what a horrible horrible manager and coach. It’s not your forte
@will_heatley: Sorry it didn’t work out, Wayne. It was always going to be a difficult situation to navigate. I want to see you go on and prove all your doubters wrong.
@mikeastley17: Fair play to Rooney, he’s got some neck on him. Saying he needed more time to effectively reverse the changes he made that took them from 5th to 21st.
@JamieJacko87: They were 5th mate, didnt need a change in the first place
@ashleyallenuk: His biggest fan as a player but a bizarre statement saying it wasn’t long enough to change things. They were 6th when he took over and now they are near bottom of the league 🤦♂️
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