Wayne Rooney Responds to Tom Brady’s Criticism
Wayne Rooney, the former manager of Birmingham City, has expressed his view that the criticism of his work ethic by NFL superstar Tom Brady was improper. Brady, who serves as a minority owner of the club and appeared in an Amazon Prime documentary about Birmingham, stated that he was concerned regarding Rooney’s approach to his coaching responsibilities. This comment was made in the context of the team’s performance under Rooney, who began his tenure as manager in October 2023 but was dismissed in January 2024 after a series of disappointing results.
Brady’s Observations and Rooney’s Response
In the documentary, Brady observed Rooney’s first interaction with the team and later voiced his apprehensions about the manager’s work ethic. Rooney responded during an episode of his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, noting that Brady’s observations were made during a lighter practice day prior to a match, suggesting a lack of understanding of the football calendar.
“I think he came in once…I don’t think he really understood football that well,” Rooney stated, adding, “But what he does understand is that he’s a hard worker, which we all acknowledge.”
Context of Brady’s Involvement
Brady, known for his unparalleled success in the NFL, became a minority stakeholder in Birmingham City in August 2023 as part of a takeover deal led by Knighthead Capital Management LLC alongside financier Tom Wagner. Rooney further commented on Brady’s remarks, explaining that football operates under different demands compared to American football, prompting him to characterize Brady’s statements as “very unfair.”
Rooney’s Tenure and Team Performance
Rooney succeeded John Eustace at Birmingham, who was let go while the club was still competing for a chance to be promoted to the Premier League. However, the situation deteriorated, leading to the team’s relegation to League One by the end of the season. Rooney acknowledged Brady’s significant status in the sports world yet stood firm on his belief about the fairness of the critique, remarking,
“I have massive respect for Tom Brady. He’s one of the greatest athletes of all time, and it seems like Birmingham is now moving in the right direction since some necessary changes have been made to the squad.”
