Wayne Rooney responds to Tom Brady’s criticism of his work ethic during his brief stint as Birmingham City manager, calling it “very unfair” and offering his perspective on the club’s challenges.
Wayne Rooney has expressed his disappointment after NFL legend Tom Brady questioned his work ethic during his short tenure as head coach of Birmingham City. In a candid response on his new podcast, “The Wayne Rooney Show,” the former England captain called Brady’s remarks “very unfair,” offering his perspective on the situation that led to his sacking after just 83 days in January 2024.
Brady’s Criticism and the Fallout
Tom Brady, who became a minority owner at Birmingham City in August 2023, took issue with Rooney’s approach to his role as head coach, specifically during a visit to the club’s training ground in November 2023. In a documentary following his involvement with the club, Brady expressed concerns about Rooney’s work ethic, stating, “I’m a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic.” The comments were made during a period when Birmingham was struggling to maintain form in the Championship, and Brady appeared to question the intensity of the manager’s commitment.
Rooney, who had been appointed manager just two months prior, responded to Brady’s critique on his podcast, explaining, “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. But what he does understand is, he’s a hard worker, we know that.”
The former Manchester United and Everton striker emphasized the differences between football and NFL, saying, “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.”
The Pressures at Birmingham City
Rooney’s tenure at Birmingham was marked by turbulence, with the team’s poor form eventually leading to his dismissal. Hired in October 2023, the club was in a difficult position, sitting in 6th place in the Championship, yet the former England striker’s appointment failed to turn the ship around. Despite his experience and pedigree, Birmingham plummeted to 20th by January, and Rooney was replaced.
The difficult period wasn’t helped by the ownership change, as Knighthead Capital Management took over the club just months earlier, bringing in Brady as a minority owner. By the end of the 2023-24 season, Birmingham City were relegated to League One, despite a succession of managers, including Tony Mowbray, who also struggled to stabilize the team.
Rooney Reflects on Birmingham’s Struggles
In his podcast, Rooney admitted that the situation at Birmingham when he took over was less than ideal. “When I went into Birmingham, they were in a mess really,” he said, explaining that the squad was not equipped to meet the demands of a Championship campaign. This sentiment was echoed by the club’s subsequent managerial appointments, with both Mowbray and Gary Rowett facing similar difficulties in turning the club’s fortunes around.
Despite the frustration during his time at the club, Rooney maintained his respect for Brady and acknowledged the improvements made under the new ownership. “Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively,” he said. “He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest athletes of all time, and Birmingham do look like they’re getting it right now, which is good, and I think what they have done is got the players out that they needed to get out.”
The Path Forward for Birmingham City
After a difficult 2023-24 season, Birmingham City found success in 2024-25, finishing top of League One with a record-breaking 111 points. Under the guidance of Chris Davies, the club’s owners invested £30m in new signings, helping the team secure an immediate return to the Championship.
Despite the ups and downs of his managerial journey, Rooney’s response to the criticism from Brady shows his resilience in the face of adversity. His time at Birmingham may not have gone as planned, but his focus now is on moving forward with his career and lessons learned from a challenging chapter.
As Birmingham begins its new chapter in League One, the club’s future appears brighter, and the reflection on past mistakes may help ensure that they remain on a positive trajectory going forward.
