Wayne Rooney's appointment at St Andrews was a disaster. Photo: Getty Images/George Wood
Wayne Rooney has criticized Birmingham City for not giving him enough time after he was sacked just 83 days into his doomed spell at the club.
Rooney's tumultuous 15-match reign ended after the club reluctantly announced his departure following a dismal run of results. The former England and Manchester United captain lost nine of his 15 matches, winning just twice. Birmingham's board concluded they had no choice but to sack him after the club fell from sixth place in the Championship to 20th.
However, in a statement, Rooney criticized the club for panicking and depriving him of the opportunity to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window.
“I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Harry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City and for the support they have given me during my short spell at the club,” he said. “Football is a results-based business and I accept they haven't reached the level I wanted. However, time is the most valuable commodity a manager needs, and I do not believe that 13 weeks was enough to see the changes needed.
“Personally, it will take me some time to overcome this setback. I have been involved in professional football as a player or coach since I was 16 years old. I now plan to spend some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my coaching journey.
< p>“Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners all the best in realizing their ambitions.”< /p>Next manager option includes Mowbray
Birmingham's owners are now stepping up their search for a new manager as they try to salvage their season.
Among those on the Birmingham board's wish list, although likely unavailable at the moment, are former Premier League managers Ralph Hasenhuttl, Jesse Marsh and Steve Cooper. The club will consider options for all of them.
Hasenhuttl has not worked since leaving Southampton 14 months ago. Marsh has been out of action for almost a year since his dismissal from Leeds United in February last year. He is currently based in Europe and is looking for potential jobs at Besiktas in Turkey, where the head coaching position is vacant.
Cooper, sacked by Nottingham Forest before Christmas, is likely to have a number of fresh options available to him by the end of the season.< /p>
Tony Mowbray, sacked by Sunderland last month, could also be a realistic contender. Former QPR manager Mark Warburton is understood to have some support at the club, while Gary Rowett, sacked by Birmingham in 2016, would be a popular appointment among many fans.
Rooney replaced John Eustace as player in October in a controversial move. The club are sixth in the table, but a 3-0 defeat to Leeds on New Year's Day leaves them 14 places worse and just six points above the relegation zone.
Eustace would be ready too return, but it is considered highly unlikely that Birmingham will consider the proposal.
In October John Eustace was replaced by Rooney and the club finished sixth in the table and are now 20th. Photo: Getty Images/Matt McNulty
“Birmingham City have today parted ways with manager Wayne Rooney and first team coach Karl.” Robinson,” the club said in a statement. “Despite our best efforts, the results have not met the expectations that were clearly expressed from the outset. The board therefore believes that a change in leadership is in the best interests of the football club.
“The board and management of the club are fully aligned and will continue to drive transformation and take bold steps to rebuild Birmingham City.” to the organization its fans and community deserve.
“The Board would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Wayne and Carl for all their efforts.”
Cook, Club Member General Manager commented: “We are committed to doing whatever it takes to bring success to St Andrews. Unfortunately, Wayne's time with us didn't go as planned and we decided to move in a different direction.”
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