The Rooney Effect: Is Wayne Rooney's Ascent to Managerial Stardom in Birmingham Set to Redefine 'World Class'?

Stephen Vickers will attest to Wayne Rooney's undeniable impact at St Andrew's.

During a Boxing Day match in 2002, shortly after turning 17, the prodigious talent from Everton came on as a substitute. However, his appearance was cut short to a mere 15 minutes when he made a rash tackle on the experienced defender, resulting in a serious ankle injury that required eight stitches.

David Elleray wasted no time in delivering a firm lesson. This marked the initial encounter of the 15 games Rooney would ultimately play against Birmingham City throughout his career, with only one defeat.

Rooney was regarded as the nation's beacon of hope and held the title of the youngest Premier League goalscorer at the time. However, he now revisits the city as a determined individual with something to demonstrate.

Birmingham expressed the importance of their board being completely united in establishing a winning mindset and a culture of ambition throughout the entire football club. The team, currently positioned at sixth place in the Championship, has enlisted the services of a former world-class player to find a manager of similar caliber who can instill an identity and implement a fearless playing style.

The jury remains undecided on whether Rooney can achieve this goal. On one hand, it was inevitable that one of the most accomplished players in the country would eventually come back from his time in the United States. Moreover, his return at the Championship level, particularly with a revered club that has been somewhat overlooked and neglected, appears to be an ideal match.

And yet, Rooney is immediately under pressure by taking a seat that has been warmed for him by a popular predecessor.

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Wayne Rooney left DC United at the weekend

Although there will be many who genuinely wish success for England's second highest goalscorer of all time, there will not be much sympathy for Birmingham City if this prominent hiring causes disruption to the sturdy framework established by John Eustace. This situation is not unfamiliar to the club, as they had previously dismissed Gary Rowett in December 2016 when they were positioned seventh in the Championship, narrowly missing out on the play-offs due to goal difference.

Gianfranco Zola was brought in by the owners to introduce a supposedly improved footballing style, but the team came dangerously close to being relegated. During his tenure, Zola only managed to win two out of 24 games, ultimately finishing just three points above the relegation zone before being dismissed.

Birmingham's CEO, Garry Cook, attributed the sacking of Eustace to "misalignment," and he has committed to transforming the club into a dominant force in football. These aspirations are often discussed using vague terms and concepts that emerge from marketing meetings, including spider diagrams and an abundance of Starbursts.

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John Eustace was dismissed after leading for only 15 months. Departing St Andrew's with his reputation intact, Rooney now faces the challenge of proving himself in a managerial role with fewer circumstances to excuse any potential shortcomings.

Cook acknowledged that his executive team understands the goal of becoming world class, but emphasizes that mere words are not enough. Regardless of Birmingham's absence from the Premier League for 12 years, he puts forth the notion that managers should be evaluated based on more than just points-per-game. Owners have the authority to perceive the atmosphere through private conversations.

Rooney received significant recognition for his efforts in the Derby County job, despite leading the team to relegation to League One due to a 21-point deduction. Despite the challenging circumstances, he performed remarkably well.

During the 2020/21 season, from late November to mid-February, Rooney achieved 31 points out of a total of 54 in the 18 games he managed single-handedly.

Rooney was even rumored as a potential replacement for Neil Lennon as the Celtic manager after Lennon's resignation. However, despite interest from Everton and Derby's administration issues, Rooney remained loyal to the club in the following campaign.

In both instances, Rooney had the chance to seize opportunities while still finding his footing as a manager. However, he patiently waited for the head coach role at DC United, a suitable choice considering his stature in Major League Soccer. This time, he was able to operate away from the public eye and without his family.

Rooney assumed control of Audi Field in July 2022, with DC United residing at the lowest position in the MLS standings. Unfortunately, they concluded the season as the league's weakest squad, amassing merely 27 points with a meager performance of seven victories, six draws, and 21 losses. Despite successfully enhancing the team during his inaugural – and subsequently final – complete season, Rooney and DC United reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract due to their failure to qualify for the MLS playoffs.

"It has been a mixed experience," stated Pablo Maurer, The Athletic's MLS reporter, in relation to DC United. "Historically, DC United has not been considered one of the top clubs in Major League Soccer. They have been known to operate with financial restraint and have faced certain institutional hurdles. Consequently, it is difficult to accurately evaluate Rooney's tenure with the team."

The content I would say is that the team roster for this season had enough strength to qualify for the play-offs. However, the manager, Wayne Rooney, also had some weaknesses. It is unclear to me how to assess him as a manager, considering his time at DC United and Derby, particularly with Derby facing a transfer ban. When Rooney joined DC United, he had the intention of implementing a possession-based style of play and controlling the game with a significant amount of ball possession. Nevertheless, he soon realized that the players on the roster lacked the necessary talent to successfully execute this strategy.

He subsequently shifted his focus towards a more streamlined approach, emphasizing solidity in the central region of the field and employing a defensive setup with five players.

For a considerable period, extending until the midpoint of the ongoing season, DC United performed commendably and occupied a mid-table position. However, their fortunes took a downturn when several crucial players departed during the summer transfer window, and the team has since encountered numerous setbacks in the form of injuries.

During his appearance on Monday Night Football in April 2022, Rooney disclosed his aspiration to manage Manchester United or Everton in the future. Hence, leading Birmingham back to the Premier League club is a significant endeavor that emphasizes his ambition more than a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.

Upon announcing his departure, Rooney expressed his satisfaction with his time at the club and acknowledged the great assistance he received from the owners. However, he feels that it is now the appropriate time for him to return to England, primarily to reunite with his family whom he hasn't seen in a considerable period.

Washington Post football writer Steven Goff stated that it was inevitable for him to return to England to pursue coaching. While his family remained in England during his current job, they used to join him when he played as a footballer in the United States. Goff believes that his desire to use MLS and DC United as a platform for bigger opportunities in European football played a significant role. Furthermore, considering his short-term contract, it was clear that he did not intend to stay in the US indefinitely.

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"It is logical that he and DC have decided to go their separate ways. The fans here have grown disillusioned with the management and ownership rather than the coaching staff. The team's recent failures have primarily been attributed to the front office."

Despite Wayne's lack of success here, the team was in disarray when he arrived last year. While he faced blame for that, this year, the expectations were slightly higher, and qualifying for the playoffs was not very challenging.

However, there exist more profound concerns regarding the organization, the amount of money invested in the team, and the selections made. Consequently, Rooney's reputation remains unblemished, primarily due to his accomplishments during his playing career.

Birmingham is stressing the significance of the January transfer window when it comes to Rooney's appointment. This is a stark departure from his experience at DC United, where they made do with the existing players. Rooney had to employ a pragmatic approach with a back three and Benteke as the main focus due to an unbalanced squad.

"Benteke was the main man," Goff stated. "That became their style of play. It wasn't fluid, possession-based football. It revolved around sending long balls to Benteke and his teammates playing off of him."

Wayne taught his goalkeepers to be highly aggressive by venturing out of the penalty area and assuming the role of a sweeper-keeper. This approach proved somewhat successful until their top-ranked goalkeeper suffered an injury. Therefore, there are indications of Rooney's preferred style of play, although it ultimately relies on the capabilities of the players at hand.

Rooney's influence resulted in the acquisition of not only Benteke but also Ravel Morrison, as per the manager's insistence. Morrison was designated as the club's fifth highest-earning player but unfortunately did not make the cut for the 2023 squad.

Rooney must acknowledge his own imperfections as he joins a club that boasts the global recognition of NFL quarterback Tom Brady as a minority owner. It is noteworthy that Birmingham's new manager has never sought out attention, despite playing for one of the largest clubs in the world and his time spent in the United States.

However, it is crucial for Rooney's legacy to extend beyond his illustrious playing career and not solely rely on the Wrexham Effect, which links high-profile individuals to profit and opportunities for television documentaries.

Rooney's first six fixtures:

October 21: Middlesbrough vs Birmingham - kick-off 3pm

October 25: Birmingham vs Hull - kick-off 7.45pm, live on We Football Red Button

October 28: Southampton vs Birmingham - kick-off 12.30pm, live on We Football

November 4: Birmingham vs Ipswich - kick-off 3pm

November 11: Sunderland vs Birmingham - kick-off 12.30pm, live on We Football

November 25: Birmingham vs Sheffield Wednesday - kick-off 3pm

Rooney still has it all to prove in management

We EFL Editor Simeon Gholam:

Wayne Rooney earned widespread praise for his efforts at Derby County. In his debut as a manager, he faced significant challenges including dealing with administration, a 21-point deduction, and a squad comprised mainly of academy graduates and free transfers, which was considered subpar for the Championship.

Rooney successfully won over the Derby fans through his dedication, transparent communication, and determined approach. It is important to highlight that under his leadership, the team accumulated enough points in his first complete season in charge to secure a 17th place finish. Maintaining their fight for safety until mid-April can be considered nothing short of extraordinary.

However, while facing every form of adversity football can present is noteworthy, it is an entirely different feat to guide a club that is finally heading in the right direction up the Championship ladder. Interestingly enough, Rooney's time at DC United did not see him achieving remarkable success. If he were not the renowned figure that he is, it is difficult to envision anything on his managerial resume sufficiently persuading the new owners of Birmingham to appoint him as John Eustace's successor at St Andrew's.

"The 37-year-old still has plenty to prove."

Shared ambition makes Rooney and Birmingham the perfect pairing

We News senior reporter Rob Dorsett:

Wayne Rooney and Birmingham City are currently an ideal match, as both find themselves at pivotal junctures and possess significant aspirations for the future.

Birmingham's CEO, Garry Cook, has provided justification for the dismissal of John Eustace, stating that the former head coach was not in sync with the club's leadership team on several crucial matters.

Cook is attempting to maintain support from Birmingham, understanding that the decision to sack the current manager is not well-received by a significant portion of the fan base. They do not view Rooney, who has only managed a struggling Derby County in England until now, as an improvement in terms of managerial capabilities. Moreover, under Eustace's guidance, Birmingham achieved a sixth-place position in the Championship. In addition, the team has earned six points and scored seven goals in their last two Championship matches, making the decision to dismiss Eustace seem overly severe.

"But once the realization hits that the plan to enlist Rooney has been in the works for weeks, amidst Birmingham's disappointing performance of only one point garnered from three matches against Preston, QPR, and Norwich, the higher-ups at Birmingham find it more justifiable and comprehensible to defend their decision.

"It was bound to happen. Eustace was aware of it. New club owners tend to prefer bringing in their own personnel for vital roles."

Rob Dorsett's full analysis explains why the recruitment of Rooney by Birmingham should come as no surprise, especially when considering owner Tom Wagner's mission statement during the acquisition of the team by his Knighthead Capital Management group three months ago.