Wayne Rooney sacked by Birmingham after just 15 matches

Birmingham City have sacked manager Wayne Rooney after only 15 games in charge of the club.

The Blues made the unpopular decision to part ways with popular boss John Eustace back in October, appointing Rooney as his successor just days after leaving his post as D.C. United manager.

Rooney arrived at St Andrew's with Birmingham sixth in the Championship table, but a run of two wins in 15 has seen them drop to 20th.

Following a 3-0 loss away at Leeds United on New Year's Day, Birmingham made the decision to sack Rooney, confirming the news on Tuesday.

A club statement read: "Birmingham City has today parted company with Manager, Wayne Rooney, and First Team Coach, Carl Robinson.

"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.

"The Club's Board and management are fully aligned and will continue to drive transformation and take bold steps to rebuild Birmingham City into the organisation its fans and community deserve.

"The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Wayne and Carl for all of their efforts."

In a statement of his own, Rooney said: "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.

"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.

"Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16.

"Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.

"Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions."

Rooney began life at Birmingham with a late 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough, who are managed by former Manchester United and England teammate Michael Carrick.

The ex-forward did not chalk up a win until his sixth game in charge, with Birmingham beating relegation favourites Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at St Andrew's. His only other victory came away at Cardiff in mid-December.

Rooney has won only 40 of his 153 matches as a manager across spells at Derby County, D.C. United and Birmingham, totalling a win percentage of 26.1%.

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