Wayne Rooney has spoken out following his axing as Birmingham City manager, stating that he doesn’t believe he was given ample time to turn things around at St Andrews.
The ex-Manchester United forward was sacked by the club on Tuesday the 2nd of January, following a 15-game stint as manager which saw them fall from 5th position in the EFL Championship to 20th.
Of the 45 available points during Rooney’s tenure with the Blues, his side picked up just 10 points – having achieved victories against Cardiff City & Sheffield United alongside 4 draws.
The worrying statistic for supporters at St Andrews was the 9 losses that have come under his command, including their most recent 3-0 loss away at Leeds United, which inevitably lead to his dismissal.
Wayne Rooney’s managerial record before Birmingham City…
Before taking over things at Birmingham City, Rooney had enjoyed stints managing Derby County and DC United in the MLS – both of whom he has played for at the end of his playing career.
The ex-United man was appointed caretaker manager of the Rams in November 2020, overseeing 11 matches for them before taking the mantle of full-time manager in January 2021.
Of the 84 games that he eventually ended up managing Derby for, his side claimed 5 victories, giving the former striker a win percentage of 29.8% in his inaugural role as a manager.
Despite this relatively low win rate, Rooney was widely praised for his involvement in keeping the Rams in the Championship by a solitary point on the final day of the 2020/2021 season.
All that hard work would come undone the following season, however, when the club were handed a 21-point deduction for entering administration and breaking accounting rules in the league.
Derby were 7 points shy remaining in the 2nd division of English football, but would have been kept there by Rooney, had it not been for their sanction.
Rooney’s next move was on to his former club, DC United, taking over as manager in June 2022.
He oversaw 53 matches as boss of DC – achieving 14 wins, 13 draws, and 26 defeats. A win rate of just 26/4%.
His side’s performances during his season at the helm saw the club vote to relieve Rooney of his duties after finishing just 9th place in the Eastern Conference and failing to make the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
Rooney on Birmingham City axing…
Following his dismal run with Birmingham City, which saw his side produce a meagre 13.3% win rate, the ex-Manchester United forward has given his thoughts on his situation with the club.
Rooney said following his axing:
“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.”
