WAYNE ROONEY has been sacked by Birmingham following a disastrous stint at St Andrew’s.
The Manchester United legend departs having won just two of his 15 games in charge.
Birmingham lost 3-0 at Leeds on New Year’s Day in what turned out to be Rooney’s final match at the helm.
The 38-year-old was appointed in October after the controversial sacking of John Eustace.
He inherited a side sitting sixth in the Championship table under his predecessor.
But Rooney leaves St Andrew’s with Blues having slumped all the way down to 20th.
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His tenure turned toxic at Elland Road when a number of travelling Birmingham fans chanted “Wayne Rooney, get out of our club”.
After the game, Rooney, who won two, drew four and lost nine of his 15 games in charge, vowed to keep fighting to get things right.
But Blues’ board – which includes NFL legend Tom Brady – have decided to pull the trigger.
A club statement read: “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.
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“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.”
Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, added: “We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St. Andrew’s.
“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 and we will update supporters when we have further news.”
Professional Development Coach Steve Spooner will take charge of the team while the club search for a permanent replacement.
In response, 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.”
Birmingham made their first controversial decision at the helm when they sacked Eustace for Rooney.
And in feeling the need to axe the former England captain so quickly, this will surely go down as an embarrassing episode for the ownership group.
SunSport revealed last week that Blues chiefs have had their eyes on former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.
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The 44-year-old is out of work having been sacked by Forest last month.
Birmingham face a tricky task convincing him to join, however, with Cooper interested in a possible vacancy at Crystal Palace.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
