In a surprising twist of events, Birmingham City has terminated the contract of manager Wayne Rooney after a brief 83 days in charge of the Championship club.
The 38-year-old assumed the role on October 11, succeeding John Eustace when the team was in sixth place. However, a decline in performance saw them drop to 20th, with a recent 3-0 loss to Leeds marking the ninth defeat in Rooney’s 15-game tenure.
Acknowledging the results, Rooney stated, “Football is a results business, and I recognize they’ve not been at the level I wanted them to be.” Professional development coach Steve Spooner will serve as interim manager for Birmingham, and the club has also parted ways with Carl Robinson, one of Rooney’s backroom staff.
Rooney expressed his intention to take a break from the game, thanking the club’s co-owners and chief executive for the opportunity. He mentioned the challenges of instigating necessary changes within the limited timeframe of 13 weeks.
Reflecting on his managerial journey, Rooney said, “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.”
Birmingham City’s decision to appoint Rooney had drawn comparisons to past managerial changes, particularly the ill-fated move to replace Gary Rowett with Gianfranco Zola in 2016. Despite the anticipation for successful and exciting football, Rooney’s tenure fell short of expectations, prompting the club to act. With only two wins in his term, Rooney is now the shortest-serving Blues manager in their 132-year history. The club will now seek a new manager to address the challenges they face in the upcoming crucial league games and the FA Cup third round.
