Reuters
Wayne Rooney [Source: Reuters]
Wayne Rooney has been dismissed as the manager of Birmingham City after less than three months in the role, the second-tier Championship club said on Wednesday, after a winless run left them hovering above the relegation zone.
Rooney was appointed Birmingham manager in October when the club were sixth in the table, but they have since fallen to 20th place, six points above the relegation zone.
After Rooney took charge, the club lost nine of their 15 matches, winning only two. They have been winless in their last five outings.
“Birmingham City has today parted company with manager, Wayne Rooney and first team coach Carl Robinson,” the club said in a statement.
“Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset. Therefore, the board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the Football Club.”
Rooney took over from John Eustace after resigning as coach of Major League Soccer (MLS) club DC United, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.
“I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club,” Rooney said in a statement.
“Football is a results business – and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be. However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed.
