Disappeared in 15 games: why Wayne Rooney was sacked by Birmingham

When Wayne Rooney was told his time as manager of Birmingham City was over after just 15 games, he was shocked.

After signing a three-and-a-half-year contract, the former England striker was left with the impression that he had joined a long-term project. Rooney had had an open dialogue with the club’s hierarchy – including chief executive Garry Cook and director of football Craig Gardner – and there was no indication their confidence in him was waning.

Birmingham won just two of Rooney’s 15 games, but even after his most recent defeat, against Leeds United on New Year’s Day, he had spoken optimistically about being a ‘fighter’ who would not shy away from the challenge of taking the team out save the downward spiral. That run saw Birmingham drop from sixth to twentieth place in the Championship, just six points above the relegation zone.

City supporters had never warmed to Rooney after he replaced the popular John Eustace and by the end of Monday’s match their cries of ‘Wayne Rooney, get out of our club’ left no one in any doubt that their decision had been made. Less than 24 hours later, club executives had come to the same conclusion.

Birmingham’s players were told this yesterday morning when they arrived at the club’s temporary training ground in Henley-in-Arden. Once again the news was greeted with surprise, but perhaps also with some relief.

Rooney had been tasked with reinventing a group of players who had developed a reputation for counter-attacking football, from being well-organized and difficult to beat under Eustace, into a possession-based, attacking side that had to be brave on the ball . It clearly didn’t work.

The team felt that Eustace’s dismissal had not been necessary. He was an honest, hard-working coach who had led the club through difficult times under previous ownership, but the players had tried to embrace the new approach of Rooney and his new but relatively inexperienced backroom staff, including former Chelsea defender Ashley. Cole and Rooney’s former Manchester United teammate John O’Shea.

There was no evidence that the players were not playing for Rooney and there were moments, such as the 2-2 draw at home to Ipswich Town and the 1-0 win over Cardiff City, when things seemed to click. But there were far too few of these moments to satisfy an unhappy fanbase, who saw a team lacking structure and seemingly confused or unable to play the way Rooney wanted.

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Rooney was not unpopular with his players, despite the results and the manager’s strong public criticism of them. Rooney had occasionally questioned his team mental strength, prowess and even personal pride – comments that had stung some of them. After the match against Leeds, Rooney said the squad was in desperate need of an overhaul and that recalibrating the squad to play the way he wanted would take more than one transfer window.

Like many great players who become managers, Rooney became increasingly frustrated as his players seemed unable to do what he found easy and second nature on the pitch.

Yet he was not particularly interventionist during the training. Instead, Rooney took on more of a viewing assignment, leaving most of the work to be done by his assistant Carl Robinson, who had worked with him in the MLS at DC United, and O’Shea, while Cole would work on set pieces .

Rooney intervened when he saw something he wanted to change or when he wanted to make a point. But some were surprised that Rooney, given his illustrious career, was not more hands-on, especially with the attacking players. Very few team members improved during Rooney’s tenure, apart from midfielder Jordan James.

Rooney wasn’t helped by injuries to some of his better players, such as summer recruits Ethan Laird and Tyler Roberts, or a drop in form from some of his senior players such as goalkeeper John Ruddy and captain Dion Sanderson, but Rooney struggled to survive the rest of his group was in full agreement with the game plans, which often changed as he simplified them over and over again.

Birmingham were beaten 3-0 at Leeds on Monday (George Wood/Getty Images)

Even though it looked like there were improvements in the displays against Cardiff, Leicester City and Plymouth Argyle, the home games against Stoke City on Boxing Day and then Bristol City – when there were verbal altercations between some of his staff and fans, and Rooney was booed – putting his future in jeopardy. When the hardcore away fans turned on him in Leeds, his fate was effectively sealed.

The Birmingham side were asked to drastically change their approach, moving away from a style that the players believed in but the club’s hierarchy did not. It may not have been pretty at times under Eustace, but this season it had proven effective.

Eustace’s removal was not motivated by a desire to land Rooney, but because, having failed to finish above 17th in the previous five seasons, they wanted the team to play fearless football. Eustace thought that was premature for a young group of players who were just getting used to a style of play that he thought suited them best.

But even Rooney soon realized he had to adjust his ambition as his players struggled to execute his game plan, with his wing-backs playing high and wide and the defenders playing from the back.

That attacking approach had completely changed by the time of Bristol City’s match at St Andrew’s, a dull goalless draw. Rooney admitted afterwards that he had set his side up not to concede, having scored three goals in each of the previous three games.

Before Christmas, Rooney had invited several journalists to attend the final preparation session for the trip to Cardiff, which produced one of his two victories. He insisted that his players could do what he asked of them in training, but on match days they made too many mistakes, again indicating that the problem was psychological rather than technical.

With a few within the squad he was probably right, as while some wanted to continue, there was also a feeling that some were coasting through the season.

Several players missed their annual Christmas party in early December as they felt it was inappropriate given their poor form. Although the team was not divided, confidence was low. Ultimately, Rooney couldn’t promote positivity.

While some may welcome his departure, there are still many training ground staff who retain some sympathy for Rooney, who was visible, friendly and approachable. The feeling was that he did not have the players to deliver on the brief and that it would take several transfer windows – and a lot of money – to put that right.

One of the priorities of the club’s new owners, Knighthead Capital Management, is to reconnect the club with its fans after years of mismanagement. They hoped Rooney’s appointment would do that. Instead, trust has already been broken.

Birmingham CEO Garry Cook has faced a backlash from fans (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

The next decision they make must be the right one, and not just because Birmingham – the longest-serving Championship club – are once again in a precarious position.

Cook was assessing management options yesterday, but no candidate is waiting to act. Professional development coach Steve Spooner will take charge of Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Hull City, assisted by Cole, O’Shea and Pete Shuttleworth, but the need to start picking up points is becoming increasingly urgent. They will want to have their new man in place by the time they return to league action against Swansea City on January 13.

Steve Cooper and Graham Potter, a former Birmingham defender, are available and have Premier League qualities but are highly unlikely to want the job. Eustace, meanwhile, is said to be open to the idea of ​​a quick return, but Birmingham is not expected to return to him.

England Under-21 head coach Lee Carsley could be a candidate who ticks many of the boxes. The 49-year-old, born in Birmingham, has played and coached for the club in the past and is said to be popular with the fans. The way his young England team plays also matches the club’s vision and he has experience in coaching young players. Cole also partners Carsley in the England setup.

Carsley may not have the star power of Rooney, which could raise the club’s profile and drive revenue growth, but as Birmingham should have learned by now, this is a club that needs substance, not style.

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(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)