Birmingham City Football Club has officially announced the dismissal of Wayne Rooney from his position as manager, alongside First Team Coach Carl Robinson, as outlined in a statement released on the club’s website on Tuesday.
The club stated that Rooney’s departure comes as a result of the team’s inability to achieve the expected outcomes set at the beginning of his tenure.
In their official statement, Birmingham City remarked, “Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset. Therefore, the Board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the Football Club.”
Expressing gratitude for the efforts made by Rooney and Robinson, the Board emphasized their commitment to revamping Birmingham City for the betterment of its devoted fans and community.
Garry Cook, the Chief Executive Officer, affirmed the club’s dedication to attaining success at St. Andrew’s while expressing regret that Rooney’s tenure did not unfold as planned, leading to the decision to seek a different direction.
Cook said, “Unfortunately, Wayne’s time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction. The search for a successor begins with immediate effect and we will update supporters when we have further news.”
In the interim, the Professional Development Coach, Steve Spooner, will temporarily assume responsibility for the Men’s First Team, with the rest of the coaching staff instructed to continue supporting Spooner in his interim role.
Rooney, a prominent figure in Manchester United and England football history, took charge of Birmingham City in October, replacing John Eustace.
However, the team’s performance under his leadership witnessed a downturn, with just two victories out of 15 Championship matches and a substantial drop from a promotion play-off spot to 20th place in the league standings.
Speculation and mounting pressure intensified, with chants from Leeds supporters during a recent match signaling the likelihood of Rooney’s dismissal.
His appointment, heralded with high expectations upon the club’s takeover by American-based Shelby Companies Limited, ended prematurely.
Despite Rooney’s anticipated impact based on his successful playing career, his managerial stint fell short of the envisioned success.
