By Victor Kanayo
From England comes a report that former England international Wayne Rooney has been relieved of his duties as coach of Birmingham City following his disastrous reign.
According to reports by the English Press on Tuesday morning, the former Manchester United great was given the sack after supporters turned on him during and after a 3-0 defeat to Leeds United on New Year’s Day.
That reversal made it just two victories from 15 matches in charge since he took over from John Eustace at the beginning of October, 2023.
Another Fatal City Decision
Rooney’s appointment bore comparisons with the club’s ill-fated decision to sack Gary Rowett in December 2016 and replace him with a better globally-known name in Gianfranco Zola, BBC reports.
But Zola won just twice in 22 games before being sacked in April 2017, to be succeeded by Harry Redknapp.
Since Blues’ new American owners Shelby Companies Limited appointed Rooney, again in the search for global impact, he has also won just two matches – and the board’s hope for successful, more exciting football has not been met.
Likely Replacement
Rowett, who left Millwall in October, is already being touted as one of the names under consideration to become caretaker boss.
Rooney previously had spells in charge of Derby County and MLS side DC United.
The Blues are six points clear of the relegation places ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third-round trip to Hull City.
