Why Birmingham City’s appointment of Wayne Rooney makes sense
In the club statement announcing the appointment of new manager Wayne Rooney, CEO of Birmingham City, Garry Cook, described it as a ‘defining moment’ in their history.
Rooney had only left his role as manager at DC United 6 days prior to his appointment
The sacking of John Eustace on 9 October was harsh, there is no doubt about that.
After steering the Blues clear of relegation last season when many other managers would not go near the club, Eustace had started the current season strongly.
Sitting in sixth place after 11 games and having just beaten midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion 3-1, the timing was unfortunate.
But it felt as though it had been talked about before the game, with the international break on the horizon, Rooney becoming available after leaving his post at DC United and Eustace’s emotional expression when thanking the fans after that match at St Andrews.
Eustace was a fan favourite at Birmingham
When news of the decision was released, it unsurprisingly received a lot of backlash amongst Birmingham fans.
Since the new ownership of Knighthead Capital Management took over the club in July, they have represented a bright future away from the misery of the previous regime, but this is the first setback.
However, as untimely as the sacking of Eustace was, the appointment of Rooney demonstrates the direction that the new American ownership wants to take the club in.
In terms of marketing and branding, he balances priorities perfectly.
NFL legend Tom Brady is a minority owner and chairman of the new advisory board
He has made a name for himself in the States; playing for and managing DC United, which will bring eyes from America and also garners attention from the UK media, with his undeniable status and legacy within British football.
There is always added interest when a legend like Rooney takes charge of a club and the media interest around Birmingham City in the last couple of weeks is demonstrative of this.
There was similar interest during his time as manager of Derby, where he did an excellent job. Rooney galvanised the club at a time when they were at threat of liquidation.
After keeping Derby up in the 2020/21 season, the following year the club were faced with a 21-point deduction. Had it not have been for the penalties, they would have finished 18th despite their youthful squad.
His insistence on developing young talent was a key theme of the quotes after his appointment as Birmingham manager.
Garry Cook wrote: “we are confident that his appointment… will culminate in a young, attack-minded team that will excite our fans.”
Whilst Rooney praised the “exciting young players in the squad.”
16-year-old Romelle Donovan has already been called up to the senior squad.
Birmingham’s recent history producing excellent academy graduates also has to be mentioned, with one of them currently lighting up the Bernabéu at 20 years old.
Since leaving Birmingham in July 2020, Jude Bellingham has established himself as one of the best young players in the world
In contrast to his time at Derby though, Rooney will have the luxury of not just having to rely on academy graduates to freshen up the squad, as early indicators suggest he will be backed financially by the board.
In an open letter sent to Birmingham fans after the Eustace sacking, Cook wrote that: “the timing of the decision allows the incoming manager sufficient time to evaluate the playing staff ahead of the January and summer transfer windows.”
After an excellent 2023 summer transfer window led by Technical Director Craig Gardner, in which Birmingham signed 12 new players, that quote will be music to Birmingham fans’ ears.
There are already links with Rangers keeper Jack Butland as rumours suggest Rooney wants a ball playing goal-keeper who will suit his style.
Jack Butland has had a good start to the season at Rangers.
His name and extensive contacts within the game, in particular his relationship with Manchester United, should help the Midlands club lure players in.
One only needs to cast the mind back to the 2018-19 season when Frank Lampard managed Derby and brought Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson to the Championship; all of which are now established internationals.
Working as a coach for Lampard was Ashley Cole, who, along with John O’Shea, has joined Rooney as coaching staff.
Both are familiar names for most football fans over 20, who will generate a level of respect from the Birmingham players from their name alone.
In his most recent managerial role, Rooney fell out with the board at DC United due to a lack of spending in the transfer window, but evidence suggests he will not have that issue at the Blues.
Rooney came in with a ball playing ethos at DC, but quickly had to change his style as he did not have the players capable, so he built play around star striker Christian Benteke.
He may have similar teething issues at Birmingham, as older players like Kevin Long and John Ruddy may struggle with the ball.
Rooney’s second spell at DC United did not go as planned
The sacking of John Eustace was harsh, but sometimes that is needed.
Rooney’s rocky managerial record so far makes this a risky appointment but with the backing of the board, it is Rooney’s best chance to succeed as a manager.
In his previous jobs at Derby and DC United, he has been hampered by external issues, mainly financial, which have held him back.
There is a feeling around this appointment that it is his last chance to establish himself as a rated manager, as, unlike at his previous jobs, there should not be any excuses if it does not go to plan.
As long as he is backed in the transfer market and given time, which his three and a half year contract and the high aspirations of the new ownership suggests he will be, then Rooney and Birmingham could be a match made in heaven.
Rooney has now had the international break to get to know his players and will be looking forward to his first game as manager on Saturday, against former teammate Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough.
