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Wayne Rooney has been fired as Birmingham City manager, sources have told ESPN, after a run of nine defeats in 15 games left the team on the brink of the EFL Championship relegation zone.
Birmingham’s American owners, Knighthead Capital Management led by the company’s co-found Tom Wagner, removed Rooney from his post on Tuesday following a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United on New Year’s Day.
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Sources have told ESPN that the position of Garry Cook, the Birmingham chief executive who hired Rooney, is also under scrutiny but that the former Manchester City and Saudi Pro League CEO remains in post at this stage.
Former Manchester United and England forward Rooney, who left his job as coach of MLS side D.C. United to take charge of Birmingham in October, was subjected to chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” by his own team’s supporters at Leeds.
Having inherited a side that was in the Championship playoff zone from predecessor John Eustace, who was surprisingly dismissed in October, Rooney signed a three-and-a-half year contract at St Andrew’s promising to bring “no fear” football to the club.
But Rooney suffered four defeats in his first five games and was unable to arrest a slump that has seen Birmingham slide down the table.
The 38-year-old was critical of some of his players during his brief spell in charge, claiming that their fitness levels weren’t good enough and that some couldn’t play the way that he had asked them to perform.
But after guiding the team to just two wins during his three months in charge, Rooney has now been dismissed ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Hull City.