January 2 – Ex-England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has been sacked as Birmingham City manager after just 15 games in charge – making him the shortest-serving manager in the club’s 132-year history.
Over the course of his brief tenure at the St Andrew’s Ground, Rooney oversaw nine losses, four draws and two wins, as his team entered freefall, dropping from sixth to 20th in the EFL Championship in record time.
Stepping in for former manager John Eustace, who had impressed in the opening stage of the season by pushing the club into promotion contention for the Premier League after 11 games, Rooney departs with the club hovering just above the relegation zone, having dropped 14 places in just 83 days. Monday night’s 3-0 loss at Leeds proved to be the final straw.
The selection of former England captain Rooney, who had previously managed at Derby County and MLS side DC United, drew parallels with the club’s past misstep of dismissing Gary Rowett in December 2016. This move echoed a similar pattern by replacing him with a high-profile figure in Gianfranco Zola, who won just twice in 22 games before being sacked in April 2017, to be succeeded by Harry Redknapp.
“Football is a results business and I recognise they’ve not been at the level I wanted them to be,” Rooney said.
“I would like to thank (co-owners) Tom Wagner and Tom Brady and (chief executive) Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club,” he said.
“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.”
Professional development coach Steve Spooner will take interim charge. The club have also parted company with one of Rooney’s backroom team, former Wolves and Wales midfielder Carl Robinson.
Biormingham travel to Hull City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday ahead of a frantic fortnight of fixtures that starts with a clash at home to 16th-place Swansea on January 13.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714390912labto1714390912ofdlr1714390912owedi1714390912sni@g1714390912niwe.1714390912yrrah1714390912