Birmingham sack manager Rooney after 15 games in charge

Birmingham City have sacked Wayne Rooney after just 15 games in charge.

Rooney was appointed at St Andrew’s on October 11 on a three-and-a-half-year deal with the club sixth in the Championship following back-to-back wins under sacked manager John Eustace.

But Rooney has seen his team lose nine of the 15 matches they have played since he took over, leaving the club in 20th place in the Championship table.

Rooney released a statement in the wake of his sacking, which read: “I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club.

“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.

“Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16. Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.

“Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions.”

Meanwhile, Eustace is open to the idea of returning to Birmingham City as manager, Sky Sports News has been told.

Eustace has been out of work since being let go by the Championship club in October and would be keen to talk to the people who dismissed him less than three months ago.

However, it is thought the ownership has no current plans to reconsider him as a candidate as they focus their search elsewhere.

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