Championship

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.
Wayne Rooney has been sacked as Birmingham bossCredit: Getty
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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Rooney issued this statement following his dismissalCredit: Instagram / Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney’s record as a manager
“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.
Blues sacked John Eustace in October with Birmingham fifth in the ChampionshipCredit: PA
“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.
Steve Cooper is admired by Birmingham chiefsCredit: Reuters More

WAYNE ROONEY has had a dismal start to life at Birmingham and is under increasing pressure following a 3-0 defeat to Leeds.The Manchester United legend joined Blues in October after they sacked John Eustace despite being in a play-off place.
Wayne Rooney has won just two out of 15 games in charge of BirminghamCredit: Getty
His struggles at Birmingham have seen his win rate nosedive
Since Rooney took charge Birmingham have plummeted down the table and are now 20th – just six points above the relegation zone.
Defeat to Leeds means Wazza has won just two of his 15 games in charge, and lost nine.
That means he has a win rate of just 13.3 per cent – which takes his overall win percentage as a manager to 26.1 per cent after also struggling at DC United and Derby, taking the already-struggling Rams down in 2022.
That is worse than his former United team-mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, who failed miserably at management.
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They managed 35.7 and 30.8 per cent respectively during their short careers, with Neville at Valencia and Scholes at Salford.
Rooney’s win percentage is even dwarfed by Frank Lampard, who is without a club following a dismal second spell at Chelsea.
His win rate at Stamford Bridge was a shocking 9.1 per cent – leaving him with an overall win percentage of 41.3 per cent.
While Steven Gerrard, whom Rooney also played with for England, boasts a higher win rate despite his struggles at Al-Ettifaq.
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Birmingham have been the worst team in the Championship since Rooney took charge
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Gerrard’s Saudi Arabian outfit have not won in two months but the former Liverpool star has a healthy win percentage in his career thanks to his work at Rangers.
Stevie G won the Scottish Premiership in 2021 and went the entire league season unbeaten, although he did not fare too well at Aston Villa as he was sacked after a year in charge. More

WAYNE ROONEY’S stint as Birmingham boss turned toxic this afternoon as fans chanted “get out of our club” to their under-fire manager.The Manchester United legend was appointed Blues manager in October after the shock decision to sack John Eustace.
Wayne Rooney has struggled as Birmingham bossCredit: PA
“Wayne Rooney, get out of our club”Birmingham fans making their opinions known…Surely the board have the admit their mistake and part ways for the sake of the club.#BCFC #KRO https://t.co/tSiPtOOujG— Between the Lines (@Between_TL) January 1, 2024

Birmingham had occupied the play-off places at the time, but have since sunk all the way down to 20th following a string of disastrous results.
Rooney, 38, has won just two of his 15 games in charge, drawing four and losing nine.
This afternoon his side travelled to high-flying Leeds, and predictably went on to lose 3-0.
During Blues’ latest defeat, Rooney received stick from a sizeable portion of the Elland Road away end.
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In videos circulating online, fans can be heard chanting: “Get out of our club, get out of our club, Wayne Rooney, get out of our club.”
Goals by Patrick Bamford and Daniel James made it 2-0 before half-time.
Crysencio Summerville then completed the rout on 67 minutes.
Blues chiefs had already begun identifying potential Rooney replacements before the game.
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SunSport revealed last week that club bosses are plotting an audacious swoop for Steve Cooper.
A source said at the time: “The clock is ticking for Wayne Rooney at Birmingham.
“If results carry on as they are then a change may have to happen to ensure the club moves back in the right direction.
“The whole atmosphere around the club isn’t right at the moment. Wayne’s comments after the Stoke match left many of the fans dismayed and indicated he may have lost the players. 
“Wayne was a controversial choice in the first place and many fans wouldn’t be crying if he left.”
After today’s latest setback, Rooney vowed to keep fighting as Blues boss.
He said: “I’ve obviously spoken to the owners. That is private between me and the owners. What’s clear is we need some players in.
“We need players to come in to help with the quality of the team but also some fresh faces in the building as well.
“We are going through a difficult period, there’s no denying that, and we need to do everything we can to come out of that.
“I believe in myself. We have a very young squad and it’s difficult for the players at the minute. We have to keep believing we will get through this.
“This was always going to be a very difficult game for us. For 30 minutes, I thought we more than competed and created some good opportunities.
“The second half wasn’t good enough, but we have to keep going through the process to improve the team.”
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Birmingham are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Hull in the FA Cup.
Their next league outing will see them host Swansea on January 13.
Rooney, 38, has vowed to keep fighting as Blues bossCredit: Rex More

EMOTIONAL tributes poured in after a “lifelong” Ipswich Town supporter collapsed and died during a Championship game.The match against QPR on Friday was stopped after a medical emergency with the crowd gathered in the Sir Alf Ramsey stand.
Ipswich vs QPR was stopped after a fan suffered a medical emergency in the standsCredit: Getty
Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton tonight confirmed the tragic death of the fan and named her as 81-year-old Anne Austin.
He told fans in a statement: “Dear Supporters.
“The Club and I are deeply saddened to report the passing of Anne Austin.
“Anne, a lifelong Town supporter and long-time season ticket holder, was treated in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand after falling ill during the Club’s fixture with Queens Park Rangers on Friday (29 December) evening and sadly passed away at Portman Road at the age of 81.

“We have been in communication with Anne’s family to offer support.
“The players and coaching staff will wear black armbands for the away fixture with Stoke City on New Year’s Day as a mark of respect, with the deepest condolences of all at the Club offered to Anne’s family and friends at this sad time.
“I am sure you can appreciate this is a difficult time for Anne’s family and we all send them our love and support.”
After Anne suddenly collapsed a blue blanket had been used to cover the area, as Portman Road’s PA system announced the second half was delayed.
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She was treated by several ambulance personnel, some of whom were holding up a plastic sheet to prevent spectators from witnessing the tragedy.
Emotional tributes have since poured in following the news of Anne’s passing.
“How sad though she died at a place she loved … thoughts for Anne’s family. May she rest in peace,” penned one.
Another wrote: “I hope you rest in peace Anne, and your family can find some comfort in knowing they have the love and support of some 30,000 people around them.”
“RIP Anne – our love, thoughts and prayers are with your friends, family and all fellow #ITFC supporters,” wrote someone else.
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of Anne. Very sad to hear this news,” echoed another.
“So sorry to hear this. Thinking of the family. I know that Ipswich Town Football Club and its supporters will wrap their arms around the family as they have us,” wrote one of hundred offering their condolences. More

IPSWICH TOWN’S Championship clash with QPR was stopped after a medical emergency in the crowd.The second-tier rivals met at Portman Road on Friday and played out a 0-0 draw.
Ipswich vs QPR was stopped after a fan suffered a medical emergency in the standsCredit: Getty
Players from both teams were unable to return to the field for the second half after a fan suffered a medical issue in the stands.
The incident occurred in the Sir Alf Ramsey stand.
And a blue blanket was placed to cover the area as Portman Road’s PA system announced that the start of the second half would be delayed.
A stretcher was then brought to the front of the stand to help treat the reported female fan.
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Ipswich’s official X account posted: “There will be a delay to the start of the second half due to a medical emergency in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.”
Nearly 20 minutes later, the stretcher was taken along the area behind the goal with several ambulance personnel, some of whom were holding up a plastic sheet to prevent spectators from seeing who was on the stretcher.
The hosts issued an update which read: “The players have emerged from the tunnel and will warm up for six minutes before the start of the second half.
“The paramedics have assisted the supporter in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand and our thoughts are with everyone involved.”
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And 35 minutes after the game was delayed, play resumed.
They released a final statement after full-time, reading: “Ipswich Town Football Club can confirm a medical emergency occurred in the lower tier of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand, during half-time of this evening’s game with Queens Park Rangers at Portman Road.
“Our thoughts are firmly with the family and friends of the supporter, with the Club offering full support to all those affected.
“There will be no further comment at this time.”
Ipswich are second in the Championship after an incredible few months under Kieran McKenna and are hoping to seal a stunning promotion to the Premier League.
As for QPR, they find themselves deep in the relegation mire and are third from bottom after just five wins this term.
Meanwhile, several League One fixtures were affected by delays on Friday night.
Stevenage vs Cambridge United was called off after a power cut caused a floodlight failure, leaving fans sat in darkness for half an hour.
And Leyton Orient vs Wycombe was suspended after an assistant ref suffered a freak muscle injury to “cause chaos.” More