Before his inaugural game in charge of Birmingham City this Saturday, Wayne Rooney has addressed rumors about his reported salary in the national media. These reports had indicated that the former Manchester United striker was set to earn three times the amount supposedly earned by his predecessor, John Eustace, who was controversially sacked to pave the way for Rooney at St. Andrews. The new management seemed intent on appointing a high-profile figure to take over as head coach.
Given Rooney’s previous role with DC United across the Atlantic, luring him back to the UK was always going to require a substantial offer, rumored to be close to £30,000 per week. This figure would have exceeded his earnings in the USA and was more than three times what Eustace had been making.
The 37-year-old former Derby County manager strongly refuted these reports, particularly those suggesting he would be making up to £1.5 million in his efforts to guide Birmingham towards promotion. Speaking to BBC Radio WM, he expressed his frustration, saying, “There’s a lot of speculation, especially when it involves me. I understand that. There are numerous rumors circulating, but the information out there is simply untrue.”
He reiterated that he had chosen Birmingham because he believed in the project and was motivated by a desire for success and to return the club to the Premier League. However, he made it clear that he didn’t engage with the rumors and the surrounding noise.
We sat down with Wayne Rooney to discuss his first week at the club and the game against Middlesbrough! 🗣️ #MIDBIR
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) October 19, 2023
The conversation then turned to the upcoming game against Middlesbrough, where he would face his former Manchester United teammate Michael Carrick. Rooney praised Carrick’s performance as Middlesbrough’s manager and looked forward to their encounter, emphasizing their mutual desire to win the match.
The article highlights the scrutiny and attention Rooney attracts, leading him to defend his salary publicly. This may indicate that he expects more media inquiries in the future, especially if things don’t go as planned. It also questions the need for the public to know exact salary figures and suggests that such reports might increase the pressure on Rooney, which could be why he has denied them.
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