The Birmingham motto begins: “As we move forward in life, it’s a long road; there will be joys and sorrows.” As a supporter of the club, I can definitely understand this. Wayne Rooney was sacked as manager after 15 games on Tuesday, taking the club from sixth to 20th. His dismissal is understandable in a results-oriented business and serves as a reminder that appointing the right person is imperative. But that doesn’t mean getting rid of it so quickly is the right decision.
Birmingham’s US owners have been excellent in some respects since taking over in the summer, doing a lot of great work behind the scenes, but it seemed odd to replace John Eustace, who had led the club into the play-off positions. Obviously the owners wanted to play in a certain style and decided that Rooney was the right man. Naturally, someone with Rooney’s profile will also help the commercial project by attracting investment and sponsorship.
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Two wins in 15 games will sum up Rooney’s time at St Andrew’s, but if the owners thought he was the man to provide “fearless football”, as CEO Garry Cook put it, then he should have been let go. development time. When you make a 180 degree change in style you need to give a manager the players he needs and a transfer window could provide Rooney with that opportunity.
The timing of Rooney’s arrival in September was not ideal when a revolution was desired. Bournemouth made a similar change when they moved on from Gary O’Neil, who had done great work to keep the club in the Premier League, but they did their research and wanted Andoni Iraola. He was given a place in the pre-season squad and the players he was looking for were given.
It did not start well, with Bournemouth failing to win any of their first nine league games and losing six. Team owner Bill Foley said he supported Iraola no matter the results, and it paid dividends. This is very difficult to do as a club owner or managing director at a time when the club’s greatest asset is its survival in the Premier League and the finances that come with it. Bournemouth prioritized developing style over quick results and it was a bold decision.
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Rooney immediately faced a tough game as he tried to create the football he wanted. Most of the time a manager comes in because the team is playing poorly and needs new momentum. It can be difficult to take over a successful team and take them to the next level when the previous system is operating, something that was difficult for Rooney as well.
It is not easy to own a team, especially in the Championship; It’s a competitive league, there are a lot of games and the financial side is really tough. A club needs to hire someone who can be its focal point, and the manager is the most important employee. Finding all these and combining them with style and commercial value is a complex task. One needs to appeal to the fans, who are the heart of any club and what they represent. But when a business owner makes a bold decision, it requires patience from the manager.
Consistency in life is probably the most important thing. I look at my career and the most successful managers are those who have time. I was with Vic Akers at Arsenal and Emma Hayes at Chelsea, they were both there for a long time. In the men’s game, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola needed a spell to implement their methods. They undoubtedly had money to spend, but the same pressures are present.
From a manager’s perspective, it’s important to know if a role is right and not accept the first opportunity presented. Eddie Howe took a year off after leaving Bournemouth, looking at his notes and training videos to refresh himself, improve his basics and improve. When someone quits football, there may be a need to intervene again, but if the offer is not right, you need to have the power to say no. A person needs confidence that something else will emerge.
The next decision for Birmingham’s owners will be the biggest decision of their tenure. Fans will remain loyal to whoever replaces Rooney because that’s what you do. There will be big ups and downs, but owners need to get it right and learn from what has gone before. The manager should be the heart of the team. They need to be strong and aligned with what your organization stands for.
I hope this is a momentary event and a reminder of how hard the job is. Like all fans, I want the best for the club and the club owners have promised. Throughout my life, Birmingham fans have witnessed many things, from winning the League Cup, to being relegated in the same season, to the reign of Gianfranco Zola and drops in points. There’s never a dull day at St Andrew’s.
Continue towards the end of the road.