Birmingham City Ends Wayne Rooney's Reign After 15 Matches

Wayne Rooney's tenure as the manager of Birmingham City has been terminated after steering just 15 games. Named as the manager on October 11, Rooney ascended to the role with the Blues standing sixth in the Championship. However, during his watch, the team lost nine games, pushing them to the 20th place in the Championship table.

Birmingham City's leadership viewed Rooney's appointment as a long-term project, but their patience ran thin following the nine defeats in fifteen matches. The former England and Manchester United captain, Rooney, has expressed his disappointment in the decision, stating it will take time to bounce back from this career setback. Regardless, he envisages preparing for his next opportunity as a manager.

In search of Rooney's replacement, Birmingham City is keen on discussing the managerial vacancy with former Leeds coach Jesse Marsch and England U21s Head Coach Lee Carsley. Additionally, names of former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper and free agent Tony Mowbray are also thrown around, although the latter is more drawn to a Premier League role.

Above all, Birmingham's top brass aims to meticulously appoint a manager with a global appeal who can introduce "no fear" aggressive football and lead the team to future promotion contests. Concurrently, there is news that John Eustace, the manager successively displaced by Rooney, is open to a second challenge at Birmingham City, a notion that the club's ownership is yet to contemplate.