BIRMINGHAM CITY will approach Steve Cooper as their first port of call after sacking Wayne Rooney.
However they accept it is likely to be a short conversation and they face an uphill battle to convince the former Nottingham Forest boss to turn his back on a possible rapid return to the Premier League.
Blues CEO Garry Cook dusted himself down on Tuesday and started the recruiting process – again – 13 weeks after he pinned his hopes on Rooney.
A call to Welshman Cooper heads his “To do list,” after the Roo Revolution bombed spectacularly, with Ralph Hasenhuttl, Reims head coach Will Still, Jesse Marsch, Paul Heckingbottom and England Under-21 head coach Lee Carsley also being considered.
Former Manchester United and England icon Rooney was axed shortly after his side crashed 3-0 to Leeds United on New Year’s Day.
A club statement confirmed: “Birmingham City has today parted company with Manager, Wayne Rooney, and First Team Coach, Carl Robinson.
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“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 Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Wayne and Carl for all of their efforts.”
Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, commented: “Unfortunately, Wayne’s time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction.
“The search for a successor begins with immediate effect.
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“We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St. Andrew’s.”
Rooney, 38, was only appointed at St. Andrew’s in mid-October, on a three-and-a-half-year deal, with Birmingham sitting sixth in the play-off places.
He was tasked with implementing: “No fear football,” and a possession-based style of play.
However, he won just two of 15 matches in charge and left with Birmingham languishing 20th in the Championship, just six points off the drop zone after 26 matches.
Rooney failed to win over a sceptical group of players, who were relieved to discover he had been axed when they arrived for training.
On Tuesday, Roo vowed to rebuild his shattered reputation and revealed he would take a break with his family before returning to management.
“Football is a results business – and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be,” he confessed in a statement.
“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.
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“Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.”
Professional Development Coach, Steve Spooner, will take temporary charge of Blues for Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Hull City.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
