Tom Brady Faces Backlash Over Wayne Rooney Critique in Birmingham City Documentary
NFL legend Tom Brady has sparked controversy among football fans after he questioned Wayne Rooney’s work ethic in a newly released documentary about Birmingham City. This five-part docuseries, which premiered on Friday, provides an insider’s view of the Championship club’s tumultuous season that culminated in relegation. The series includes insights from players, coaching staff, and ownership figures, with Brady appearing as a notable investor through Knighthead Capital.
In a now-viral segment from the documentary, Brady visits Birmingham’s training facility during Rooney’s short-lived and challenging tenure as head coach. While leaving a team meeting and observing a training session, Brady expressed concerns about Rooney’s commitment. "I’m a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic," he remarked to his business partner, Ben Rawitz, who responded, "Comes across as lackadaisical."
Rooney’s coaching stint ended in January 2024 after just 15 matches, where he achieved only two victories, contributing to the club’s relegation. His dismissal came only months after he took over from John Eustace, who had successfully led Birmingham to the brink of a play-off spot prior to his exit.
Brady’s comments have drawn ire from fans, many of whom feel he disrespected one of English football’s iconic figures. Responses on social media have been swift, with one fan stating, "To criticize the Tom Brady of English football is absurd." Another user added, "Brady shows zero class." A third remarked, "It’s the Tom Brady show, but he lacks understanding of the sport." One passionate fan criticized, "Slandering a legendary player on camera is disgraceful."
While Rooney may not be considered a tactical genius by all, fans argue that for someone so new to the sport to make such judgments is inappropriate. Rooney, at 39, began his managerial journey while still playing for Derby County, where he successfully navigated a financial crisis and kept the team competitive under pressure. After a brief period with DC United in Major League Soccer, Rooney returned to England to manage Birmingham.
Following his time at Birmingham, Rooney was appointed as the manager of Plymouth, but he was dismissed on New Year’s Eve amid struggles for form. The documentary also highlights Brady’s role in the club’s poor decision-making, as he acknowledged that replacing Eustace with Rooney was a significant error. "I had good advice: ‘Don’t make sweeping changes. You guys have time,’" Brady admitted in the film. "But we made sweeping changes that led to our decline."
Brady further critiqued the mentality of the squad during a challenging relegation season, stating, "We were trying to make Birmingham a world-class team – but it’s been a rough year. They were lazy and entitled, which doesn’t give you much chance to succeed."
Despite the struggles during Rooney’s tenure, Birmingham City has since bounced back, securing promotion from League One last season. The Blues won 34 of their 46 league matches, accumulating an impressive 111 points to return to the Championship.
Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving story surrounding Tom Brady, Wayne Rooney, and Birmingham City as they navigate the ups and downs of football management.
