Former DC United boss Rooney sacked after 83 days: what was his record?

Birmingham City Football Club announced the departure of Wayne Rooney as their manager after a challenging three-month tenure. The Championship side, currently struggling near the relegation zone, confirmed Rooney’s exit on Wednesday. Rooney, who began leading Birmingham in October when they were in a promising sixth position, saw the team’s fortunes decline to 20th place, just six points clear of relegation.

Gone in 13 weeks: Rooney leaves Birmingham

Under Rooney’s management, Birmingham experienced a tough phase, securing only two wins in 15 matches and failing to win any of their last five games. The club, in a statement, acknowledged the departure of both Rooney and first-team coach Carl Robinson, citing the team’s performance not aligning with the expectations set at the beginning of his term.

Rooney, who previously resigned from his coaching role at Major League Soccer club DC United, had signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Birmingham. Reflecting on his brief stint, Rooney expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to manage the club and acknowledged the lackluster results under his leadership. He noted the importance of time for a manager to implement changes, a luxury he felt he didn’t have in his 13-week spell with the team.

Rooney, a veteran of professional football since the age of 16, announced his intention to take a break to spend time with his family and prepare for future managerial opportunities.

In the interim, Birmingham City has appointed their professional development coach, Steve Spooner, to oversee the team. Rooney’s managerial career also includes a significant period at Derby County, where he navigated the team through financial difficulties and a points deduction that ultimately led to their relegation.