Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has expressed strong criticism of Birmingham City’s decision to appoint Wayne Rooney as their manager, highlighting his managerial track record.
MacAnthony’s remarks come in the wake of Wayne Rooney’s recent stint as Birmingham City’s manager. In his first two games at the helm, the team suffered losses against Middlesbrough and Hull City.
Prior to John Eustace’s departure, Birmingham City had enjoyed a promising start to the season, occupying a top-six position in the league. The abrupt managerial change raised questions among fans and pundits alike.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, MacAnthony exclaimed, “What’s the rationale behind this? If you were to remove Wayne Rooney’s name from his managerial record, it’s doubtful he would even secure an interview for a League Two managerial position. I’m quite perplexed by it.”
MacAnthony went on to discuss Rooney’s prior managerial experiences in the United States and the style of football exhibited during his tenure at Derby County. He also mentioned the success of Derby’s former assistant manager, Liam Rosenior, who moved on to Hull City.
MacAnthony expressed his bewilderment over the decision by Birmingham City’s American owners, including Tom Brady, to hire Rooney. He underscored John Eustace’s contributions and the positive direction the team was heading in prior to the managerial change.
He continued, “Birmingham fans have endured years of instability, and they had finally found a semblance of stability with the new owners, breaking into the top six. I can understand why the fans expressed their discontent after just a couple of games. The decision makes little sense.”
The chairman raised concerns about the talk of a long-term philosophy and questioned the basis for such plans, given Rooney’s limited coaching history. MacAnthony acknowledged Rooney’s reputation as one of England’s greatest players but questioned his qualifications as a manager, especially for a club like Derby where he had his first managerial role.
MacAnthony stated that he hopes for Rooney’s success but emphasized that, in his view, Rooney has not yet demonstrated why he deserves the substantial managerial salary he receives in the Football League. He lamented the fact that many talented managers in League One and League Two lack opportunities at prestigious clubs like Birmingham City while individuals with famous names like Rooney receive preferential treatment.
He concluded by remarking that it’s frustrating to witness individuals like Rooney and his agent benefit from the business side of football. His critique was not a personal attack on Rooney but rather a reflection on the uneven opportunities within the industry, where individuals who have worked their way up and earned their coaching badges often go unnoticed.