After less than three months – or the equivalent of 15 games – former English star striker Wayne Rooney has left his coaching position at second division soccer team Birmingham City. The club, which had fallen to 20th place, announced its separation on Tuesday.
02.01.2024 12.57
Online since today, 12:57 p.m
Birmingham thus drew the conclusions from the negative run with only two wins from just 15 games since Rooney took office at the beginning of October. A successor at the championship club, in which football legend Tom Brady, among others, has invested or acted as an advisor, has not yet been determined.
After the 3-0 loss at Leeds United on New Year’s Day, Rooney was insulted by his own fans. “Unfortunately, Wayne’s time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to take a different path,” said club boss Gary Cook, who spoke of “a milestone” for City at Rooney’s inauguration.
Club statement: Wayne Rooney
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) 2 January 2024
Rooney announces time out
Rooney is still waiting for his breakthrough as a coach. His previous stints with the second division club Derby County and the American club DC United had not been successful. Football is a results sport, said Rooney. He had to acknowledge that they were not at the level he wanted.
Rooney announced a break after the “setback”: “I have been involved in professional football as a player or coach since I was 16. Now I plan to take some time with my family to prepare for the next opportunity in my coaching journey.”
