Brady Slams Rooney’s Shocking Work Ethic at Birmingham
NFL legend Tom Brady hasn’t held back in his criticism of former Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney, bluntly questioning the ex-England captain’s commitment during his short-lived tenure at the club. The explosive remarks come from Brady’s candid moments in a new Amazon Prime documentary, where the seven-time Super Bowl champion doesn’t mince words about Rooney’s leadership—or lack thereof.
Brady’s Scathing Assessment of Rooney’s Work Ethic
Brady, now a minority owner at Birmingham City, expressed deep concerns during production footage for the upcoming series. “I’m a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic,” he admits, before hesitantly adding, “I don’t have great instincts on that.” The comments were reportedly made after Brady visited the club’s training ground in November 2023, just weeks into Rooney’s controversial appointment.
The tension between the two sporting icons is palpable in the documentary. Rooney, who lasted a mere 83 days in charge, is seen attempting to explain Birmingham’s struggles, telling Brady: “Why they’re playing in the Championship and not the Premier League is because… we’ve all passed a ball, kicked the ball, and run, but it’s about focus, concentrated for 90 minutes.”
Brady’s response? A resigned, “We’ve got a long road ahead.”
Failed Experiment: Rooney’s Brief Stint at Birmingham
The documentary sheds light on the chaotic backdrop of Rooney’s appointment. Birmingham was sitting sixth in the Championship when ownership, including Brady and Knighthead Capital Management LLC, controversially sacked John Eustace to appoint the high-profile ex-Manchester United star. Yet rather than sparking a revival, Rooney’s tenure saw the Blues nosedive to 20th, prompting his swift dismissal.
At the time, Rooney defended himself, insisting 13 weeks wasn’t enough time to implement necessary changes. But one supporter featured in the series, Paul Collins, wasn’t buying it. “What qualifies Wayne to manage Birmingham City? Nothing,” he scoffed, speculating the move was purely a publicity stunt to attract attention.
Brady Blames Lazy, Entitled Players for Relegation
While Rooney bore the brunt of early criticism, Brady didn’t spare the Birmingham squad either. After the club suffered relegation to League One—only their third-ever drop from England’s top two tiers—Brady shifted blame to the players.
“We’ve already changed the coach, so it’s really the players,” he declared. “They were lazy, they were entitled, and when you’re lazy and entitled, you don’t have much of a chance to succeed.” His solution? A ruthless overhaul. “We’ve got to change all the people associated with losing.”
The club backed those words with action, investing an unprecedented £30m in transfers the following summer. The gamble paid off: Birmingham stormed League One, breaking the Football League points record with a staggering 111 to seal promotion at the first attempt.
Behind the Scenes: Brady’s Birmingham Blunders
The documentary also offers lighter moments, including Brady’s comedic struggle to locate Birmingham’s training facility. His manager, Ben Rawitz, teased, “That’s the owner right there—he doesn’t know where his training facility is,” before comparing the setup to a “high school.”
In another scene, Brady—seemingly unfamiliar with local football rivalries—asks, “What’s the other team here?” before inquiring, “Is Aston Villa in the Premier League?” It’s a stark reminder of the cultural learning curve facing foreign investors in English football.
Ambitions Beyond Wrexham
The series draws inevitable parallels to Wrexham, the Welsh club revitalized by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. But Knighthead co-founder Tom Wagner dismissed any comparisons. “They’ve done a spectacular job at bringing attention to a small club,” he acknowledged. “But Birmingham is already a big club. Our ambitions are bigger.”
Wagner’s vision is clear: Premier League football. “Our target isn’t Wrexham,” he asserts. “Our target is to play against Villa.”
Conclusion: A New Era for Birmingham?
Brady’s unfiltered critique of Rooney’s work ethic may have sparked controversy, but it underscores a broader demand for accountability at Birmingham City. While Rooney’s appointment proved disastrous, the club’s subsequent revival suggests lessons were learned. For Brady and the ownership group, the spotlight now shifts to whether they can deliver on their lofty Premier League ambitions—or if history will repeat itself.
