Tom Brady’s Brutal Appraisal: Wayne Rooney’s Short-Lived Birmingham City Tenure Under the Spotlight
The relationship between Wayne Rooney and Birmingham City has returned to the headlines following the release of a new Amazon Prime docuseries, which features candid criticism from club minority owner Tom Brady. The NFL legend’s remarks have reignited debate over Rooney’s ill-fated managerial spell and the club’s turbulent 2023–24 season.
Brady’s Amazon Docuseries Reveals Frustration with Rooney’s Leadership
In the five-part series, Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues, Tom Brady does not mince his words about Rooney’s brief time in charge. Appointed in October 2023, Rooney lasted just 83 days as Birmingham City manager, overseeing a dramatic slide from sixth to twentieth in the Championship, with only two wins in 15 matches before his sacking. Brady, who became a minority owner of the club following Knighthead Capital’s takeover, is heard expressing doubts about Rooney’s commitment: “I’m a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic,” Brady admits, though he concedes, “I don’t have great instincts on that”[1][2][3].
Brady’s criticism extended beyond Rooney to the squad itself, labelling the players “lazy” and “entitled” and suggesting such attitudes doomed the club’s campaign. The documentary offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes tensions that plagued Birmingham during a pivotal season[1][2][3].
Rooney’s Appointment and Swift Exit: A Gamble That Backfired
The decision to replace John Eustace with Rooney was one of the new ownership’s first major moves. Hopes were high given Rooney’s pedigree as a Manchester United and England legend, but the gamble quickly unravelled. Under Rooney, Birmingham’s form collapsed, and the club ultimately suffered relegation to League One at the end of the 2023–24 season[2][3].
Rooney, for his part, maintained that he was not given adequate time to implement changes, stating, “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”[2].
Aftermath: Birmingham’s Immediate Recovery and Rooney’s Managerial Struggles
Following Rooney’s departure, Birmingham City rebounded impressively, winning League One with a record points tally and securing an immediate return to the Championship under new manager Chris Davies[2].
Rooney, meanwhile, took charge at Plymouth Argyle but endured another difficult spell, leaving after 25 games with the club bottom of the Championship. The contrasting fortunes have only sharpened scrutiny of his managerial credentials[2].
Rooney’s Response and the Broader Debate on Managerial Patience
The docuseries has reignited discussion about the pressures facing young managers and the expectations of new ownership groups. While Brady’s American sporting ethos emphasises relentless work ethic and accountability, Rooney’s defenders argue that such transitions require time and patience—commodities in short supply at St Andrew’s during that turbulent season[2][3][5].
As the dust settles, the episode serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of high-profile appointments and the cultural differences that can shape football’s most pivotal decisions.
Sources :
[1] https://www.si.com/soccer/tom-brady-slams-wayne-rooney-birmingham-city-players
[2] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/07/31/tom-brady-wayne-rooney-work-ethic-birmingham-documentary/
[3] https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/im-a-little-worried-new-documentary-unearths-tom-bradys-true-feelings-about-wayne-rooneys-time-at-birmingham-city
[5] https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news/wayne-rooney-tom-brady-birmingham-city-amazon-nfl-531071-20250801
Information : This article was made by compiling with AI several sources available on the Internet, which the aim is to get both contrasted and comprehensive information.
