Rooney criticizes Brady's understanding of football following 'work ethic' remark
In the world of football, the 2023/24 season was a rollercoaster ride for Birmingham City, with the team experiencing highs and lows under the management of former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney.
The season began with Birmingham in a state of disarray, as Rooney took over the reins. However, the team managed to turn things around, winning the League One title with a record-breaking 111 points. This victory marked a significant improvement in the club's fortunes, breaking an English Football League record [1].
However, the season was not without its controversies. In January 2024, Tom Brady, the club's minority owner and seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, publicly questioned Rooney's work ethic and criticized the players as "lazy and entitled." Brady's concerns were raised during a disappointing run of results, which ultimately led to Birmingham's relegation to League One [2][4].
Rooney strongly denied these claims, calling Brady’s criticism "very unfair" and defending his professionalism during his 83-day tenure at Birmingham City, where the team struggled with nine losses from fifteen games and dropped in the Championship standings [1][3][4].
Following Rooney's departure, Birmingham appointed Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett as managers in the 2023/24 season. The investment and transfers made by the club's wealthy backers, amounting to £30 million ($41 million), significantly improved the team's performance [5].
Despite the controversy, Rooney expressed respect for Brady, calling him one of the greatest athletes of all time. He also acknowledged that Birmingham currently appears to be getting things right [1].
Interestingly, Brady had visited Birmingham's training ground in October 2023 and expressed concerns about the work ethic of the head coach. However, the team's subsequent success under Mowbray and Rowett suggests that these concerns may have been unfounded [2].
Rooney, on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, had previously stated that the players were not of a calibre to take the club forward. Despite this, Birmingham's record-breaking season indicates a strong team spirit and a determination to succeed [1].
The Amazon Prime documentary "Built In Birmingham: Brady & The Blues" provides a behind-the-scenes look at the club under Brady's ownership and features Brady’s blunt assessment of both Rooney and some players [2][4]. Rooney responded publicly to defend his reputation and reject Brady's portrayal of him [3][4].
In a surprising twist, Rooney left his next Championship coaching role at Plymouth Argyle in December 2024 with the team at the bottom of the table [1].
The 2023/24 season was indeed a season of drama for Birmingham City, with the team's turnaround under new management and the controversy surrounding Tom Brady's criticism of Wayne Rooney. Despite the challenges, the team's success serves as a testament to their resilience and determination.
References:
- BBC Sport. (2024). Birmingham City: Wayne Rooney sacked as manager. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54615396
- The Guardian. (2024). Tom Brady criticises Wayne Rooney's work ethic as Birmingham City manager. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/jan/12/tom-brady-criticises-wayne-rooney-work-ethic-as-birmingham-city-manager
- The Independent. (2024). Wayne Rooney hits back at Tom Brady over criticism of his Birmingham City tenure. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/wayne-rooney-tom-brady-birmingham-city-b4606481.html
- The Telegraph. (2024). Tom Brady's blunt assessment of Wayne Rooney and Birmingham City players. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/01/12/tom-bradys-blunt-assessment-wayne-rooney-birmingham-city-players/
- Sky Sports. (2024). Birmingham City appoint Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett as managers. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11698/12220843/birmingham-city-appoint-tony-mowbray-and-gary-rowett-as-managers
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