WAYNE ROONEY wants NFL GOAT Tom Brady to deliver some team talks and help guide Birmingham to the Premier League.
Former England and Manchester United striker Rooney was unveiled yesterday as the new Blues boss on a 3½-year deal following John Eustace’s axing on Monday.
And Roo wants to tap into the experience and knowledge that retired quarterback Brady brings as a seven-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Californian, 46, became a minority owner of Brum following their acquisition by US-based Shelby Companies Limited in July.
Rooney, who spent 15 months as manager of MLS side DC United, had a quick chat with the legendary Brady before arriving at St Andrew’s.
Asked about that initial conversation between two sporting greats, Rooney, 37, said: “We spoke about the Super Bowl in February.
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“I went to the one in Phoenix this year and it completely changed my view on the game.
“I also spoke to Tom about the football club, the role in which he will play.
“His enthusiasm for it is refreshing.
“We’re both on the same page. We’re excited for what this club can achieve in the future.
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“He is one of, if not the greatest athlete of all time!
“So I’m sure he has a lot of advice and a lot of things which worked for him throughout his career.
“One of the things I want to do when he is over next is to get him in front of the players and sharing his story.
“It would be great for me to listen to and I’m sure it will be really inspiring.
“I’ve had Kevin Sinfield and Tony Bellew, different athletes from different sports, come into my team to discuss their journeys of how they get to that level.
“Ultimately, at the end of every talk it comes down to the same thing — dedication, work and desire.”
Brum were relegated from the Premier League in 2011.
And when asked if promotion back to the top flight this season was a realistic target, Roo answered: “We will push for it, of course.
“The players we have brought in over the summer, it’s an ambition of ours.
“There is a plan in place to reach the targets we have set to get to the Premier League. It’s a goal, it’s a challenge and something we will push for.”
It was Saturday, October 19, 2002, that 16-year-old substitute Rooney scored THAT goal for Everton to end Arsenal’s 30-game unbeaten run.
Over the past 21 years, the Scouser has been a massive part of our sporting consciousness.
Not only his excellent club exploits at Old Trafford but the fact he played at three World Cups and became England’s record goalscorer with 53 — until he was overtaken by Harry Kane in March.
Rooney has lived under a spotlight all his adult life but working in the United States’ capital over the past year reminded him how lucky he really is.
He said: “There’s pressure in everyday life.
“I’ve just come back from Washington, DC and driving down the street you see people living on the road.
“That’s pressure to live, eat and get through that day.
“This is a big responsibility, from the fans, board, owners but I’m confident I can lead this club forward.”
Many of Rooney’s contemporaries — including the likes of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher — are earning a decent living talking about football from the comfort of a TV studio.
But he is not yet ready to swap a tracksuit for a microphone.
Rooney added: “I love football. The second best thing to being involved in it is watching and talking about it and they’re comfortable doing that.
“That might be something for me in the future but if I have an opportunity to develop myself and that feeling when you win and you are part of it is second to none.
“It’s a desire I’ve had since I was a young kid. I started doing my coaching badges at the age of 19.
“Then I stopped because of the schedule. I’ve picked it up over the past seven years.
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“I wanted to push myself to be the best manager I can be. Ultimately, it’s because I love football.
“The goal for the club, for myself, is to get back to the Premier League.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
