August 15 – Wayne Rooney has responded to comments made by Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady in the club’s recently-released documentary, where the seven-time Super Bowl winner said he was a “little worried about [the] head coach’s work ethic”.
The former England striker, who was sacked after just 83 days in charge in January 2024, said Brady’s words were “very unfair” and that he was “really disappointed with the comment”.
The Championship club were taken over by Knighthead Capital Management in June 2023, opening the door for Brady to become a minority owner two months later. The American queried Rooney’s attitude during the documentary, which followed him as he got involved with what turned out to be a messy situation and season at St Andrew’s.
In October 2023, with the team sitting sixth in the Championship, the new ownership controversially replaced manager John Eustace with former England captain Rooney.
Manchester United’s record goalscorer lasted just 15 matches – though that was enough time to see his side plummet to 20th in the table.
Following a visit to the club’s training ground in November 2023, Brady told colleagues he was “a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic” – a moment captured on camera which seems to have ruffled a few of Rooney’s feathers.
“I think Tom came in once, which was the day before a game where the days are a little bit lighter anyway, and I don’t think he really understood football that well,” Rooney said.
“But what he does understand is, he’s a hard worker, we know that.
“Football is not NFL – NFL works for three months a year. Players do need rest as well, so I think he’s very unfair, the way he’s come out and portrayed that.”
Continuing to defend himself, Rooney added: “When I went into Birmingham, they were in a mess really, hence the fact that the players weren’t really the players who could take the club forward.
“You had Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett after me, who also struggled as well.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]