Wayne Rooney has expressed his disappointment after being sacked by Birmingham City following just 83 days in charge, criticising the club for not giving him enough time to implement his changes. The former England and Manchester United captain lost nine of his 15 matches, with supporters turning against him after Monday's 3-0 defeat to Leeds United.
Rooney, who replaced John Eustace in October when Birmingham were sixth in the Championship, said: 'Football is a results business – and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be. 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.' He added that it would take time to get over the setback.
Birmingham's American owner Knighthead now faces an embarrassing end to a disastrous episode. Chief executive Garry Cook, who drove the appointment and gave Rooney a three-and-a-half-year contract, promised 'no-fear football' but the club are now six points above the relegation zone. No Championship team have taken fewer points since Rooney's arrival.
Cook said: 'We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St Andrew's. Unfortunately, Wayne's time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction.' Potential replacements include Steve Cooper and Paul Heckingbottom, recently sacked by Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United respectively.
Rooney's tenure was marked by difficulties, including players expressing discomfort with his style after a home defeat to Hull City. Coaches John O'Shea, Ashley Cole and Pete Shuttleworth will stay to assist interim manager Steve Spooner, while first-team coach Carl Robinson has left.
