Wayne Rooney has hit back at Tom Brady’s questioning of his “work ethic” following a stint in charge of Birmingham City.
Birmingham City sacked Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney in January 2024, after just 15 games in charge.
Rooney was tasked with improving results at St Andrew’s on a three-and-a-half-year deal, replacing John Eustace, but results worsened and they slipped from sixth to 20th place in the Championship table.
Although things did not go to plan for Rooney at Birmingham City, the former England international was subjected to harsh comments from the club’s minority owner and NFL legend Tom Brady.
Brady criticised Rooney’s work ethic in a fly-on-the-wall documentary about his part-ownership of the Championship club.
After being axed at Birmingham, Rooney took another job in the football pyramid, but it didn’t last very long at Plymouth Argyle. This season, he will be a regular pundit on Match of the Day.
Wayne Rooney says goodbye to Goodison Park
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
After winning seven Super Bowls throughout his career, Brady expects the highest of standards and felt Rooney failed to deliver on that front.
Rooney was left bitterly disappointed by Brady’s claims and they could make it difficult for the former striker to get managerial roles elsewhere.
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Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney accused Brady of not fully understanding football during his time at St Andrews.
“I think Tom came in once, which was the day before a game where the days are a little bit lighter anyway.
“And I don’t think he really understood football that well.
“But what he does understand is, he’s a hard worker, we know that.”
Rooney added: “Football is not NFL – NFL works for three months a year. Players do need rest as well, so I think he’s very unfair, the way he’s out and portrayed that.”
Rooney remains a fan of Brady
Despite being disappointed by Brady’s comments, Rooney insists he will not hold a grudge against Birmingham’s co-owner.
Rooney said: “Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively.
“He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest athletes of all time and Birmingham do look like they’re getting it right now, which is good.
“And I think what they have done is got the players out that they needed to get out.”
Birmingham are back in the Championship after a season in League One. They will be aiming to get back to the Premier League as soon as possible.