{"id":42951,"date":"2024-01-02T14:39:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T14:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/rooney-hit-hard-by-setback-after-birmingham-city-sacking-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2024-01-02T14:39:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T14:39:07","slug":"rooney-hit-hard-by-setback-after-birmingham-city-sacking-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/rooney-hit-hard-by-setback-after-birmingham-city-sacking-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Rooney hit hard by ‘setback’ after Birmingham City sacking | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nLONDON:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wayne Rooney<\/a> said it would “take some time to get over this setback” after he was sacked as manager of Championship side Birmingham City on Tuesday following a disastrous spell in charge.<\/p>\n

The 38-year-old former Manchester United and England star was appointed in October but oversaw just two wins in 15 matches with Monday’s 3-0 thumping by Leeds, their ninth defeat under him, proving the final straw.<\/p>\n

Birmingham — who have NFL legend Tom Brady as a minority shareholder — are embroiled in a\u00a0 battle against relegation, slumping to 20th from sixth since Rooney took over.<\/p>\n

“Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset,” read a statement from the club.<\/p>\n

“Therefore, the board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the football club.”<\/p>\n

Rooney replaced John Eustace, who was sacked just after he had guided Birmingham to two successive wins which propelled them into the play-off places.<\/p>\n

“Football is a results business — and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be,” said Rooney.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback.<\/p>\n

“I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16.<\/p>\n

“Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.”<\/p>\n

Rooney’s chequered managerial career is in stark contrast to his stellar playing days.<\/p>\n

He was credited with doing a decent job at Derby in tricky circumstances.<\/p>\n

He saved them from relegation in 2021 — by a point — after four months in the role.<\/p>\n

However, his first full season in charge (2021\/22) the club was penalised 21 points for being in administration and English Football League breaches, while they were barred from dealing in the transfer market.<\/p>\n

Although they made a decent fight of it they were relegated to the third tier League One and Rooney left in June 2022 with the club still in administration.<\/p>\n

His next destination was the MLS club DC United in July 2022.<\/p>\n

They finished bottom of the Eastern Conference, but they improved in the 2023 campaign, finishing 12th.<\/p>\n

His overall record, though, as a manager is unimpressive with just 41 victories and 73 defeats in 152 matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n