Rooney replaces Eustace as Birmingham boss – Neil Moxley reports
Former Manchester United hero Wayne Rooney has spoken openly of Tom Brady’s ambitions for Birmingham City after being appointed the club’s new manager. The ex-England captain has already held discussions with the NFL icon after joining from D.C United.
The Blues’ incoming boss faces the challenge of proving Brady and the rest of the powers that be at St Andrew’s have made the right decision in naming him as head coach. Despite a mixed spell in his previous role in MLS, Birmingham’s ownership group made the call to replace John Eustace with him.
The 37-year-old is set for his second spell in the EFL Championship following two seasons at the helm at Derby County in the second tier earlier in his coaching career. It would appear that bringing in a name of Rooney’s standing in the game fits with the lofty ambitions of Brum’s board.
Now, England’s former all-time leading goalscorer has opened up on the conversations he has had with Brady, who heads up the club’s Advisory Board as chairman. Speaking in a press conference following his unveiling, Rooney hailed the seven-time Super Bowl victor for his hands-on approach at the club.
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He said: “I have spoken to Tom [Brady], he is very ambitious to move this club forward. It’s great to have him here, it’s important for the players to see Tom Brady have an involvement. It’s very clear that Tom is fully involved in the club.”
Of course, Rooney takes over as Birmingham boss in controversial circumstances, particularly following the performance of his predecessor in the hot seat. Departed head coach Eustace, had masterminded a strong start to the campaign and Birmingham sit in sixth in the second-tier standings.
However, club CEO Garry Cook has defended the decision to part company with the last incumbent in the managerial hot seat, saying: “We turned up on July 13, the first person you meet is the manager.
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“John [Eustace] has ambition, as we went through a time period we started to look at our own ambition, you go around the football club and who is on board. As change happens 30 percent of the audience is dead excited.”
He added: “30 percent are not loving it, 30 percent are just OK with it. That alignment means our ambition was perhaps a little higher.”
Despite the doubts of some naysayers following his appointment, Rooney appears to be relishing the opportunity to take over at Birmingham, however. Describing his excitement, he said: “I love the fact we are in a good position, the challenge, that is something I have dealt with since I was a young kid.”
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