Former Derby County defender Curtis Davies has showered accolades on Birmingham City’s new manager, Wayne Rooney, while also delivering a cautionary message to the team. This comes after the recent departure of head coach John Eustace, who was relieved of his duties despite Birmingham City’s sixth-place standing in the Championship. The club’s CEO, Garry Cook, cited disagreements between Eustace and the team’s direction as the reason for the decision. The subsequent announcement of Wayne Rooney as Eustace’s successor, a move that had been widely speculated in football circles, was confirmed.
Rooney, having recently left his post with DC United in the MLS, swiftly accepted Birmingham’s contract offer, taking the helm at St. Andrew’s.
His debut with the Blues will be an away match against Middlesbrough, managed by his former Manchester United and England teammate Michael Carrick. Opinions among fans and pundits have been divided regarding Eustace’s dismissal and Rooney’s appointment. Nevertheless, Curtis Davies, a former Birmingham City player who had experience playing with and under Rooney at Pride Park, expressed some positivity about the situation.
Speaking on the Keep Right On Podcast, Davies cautioned Birmingham City’s players to embrace Rooney’s tactical approach and playstyle courageously, as failure to do so could result in being dropped from the team. He emphasized that players must adhere to the game plan and resist the urge to resort to long balls, as it would disrupt the team’s structure. Davies also anticipated that Rooney would bring exciting and enjoyable football to the team, albeit with moments that might leave fans on the edge of their seats. Rooney’s attacking football style, influenced by his career as a forward, may require some adjustment for both players and supporters, with goalkeepers venturing outside the penalty area and midfielders freely rotating on the pitch.