Birmingham City suffer third straight defeat leaving Wayne Rooney in trouble

Robbie Savage discusses Wayne Rooney’s appointment at Birmingham City

When Birmingham City controversially appointed Wayne Rooney to lead the club, the expectations were not especially high. Spells at Derby County and DC United had done little to provide the former Manchester United icon with any credibility from the touchline, and now having recorded a third straight defeat for his new club Rooney is stuck in a difficult position and has some serious questions to answer.

Rooney’s first defeat came in a difficult game against high-flying Middlesbrough who were coming off a five-game unbeaten run. The team would feel hard done by after succumbing to a last-minute winning goal which provided signs of promise for Rooney to potentially build from.

However, a 2-0 defeat to Hull City saw the team outclassed despite playing in front of their home fans at St Andrew’s, and now the team has recorded yet another loss in a 3-1 defeat to Southampton.

The defeat showed that there is much work to be done, despite Rooney admitting after the game that there were “a lot of positives.” But the 38-year-old also proclaimed that the team “needs to pick up points” as pressure begins to mount on the five-time Premier League winner.

Rooney’s appointment came as a surprise to fans after he took over from former head coach John Eustace. Eustace had built up a lot of credit in the bank at Birmingham having helped the team to avoid relegation in his first season on a small budget.

Ahead of Rooney’s arrival, Eustace had overseen five wins, three draws and three defeats in the opening 11 league games – including back-to-back wins before his sacking. The results are a stark contrast to Rooney’s disappointing last 11 games at DC United where the team ultimately decided not to renew his contract.

Despite Rooney’s results coming in a different nation, the former striker also struggled during his previous spell in England with Derby County, admittedly with the team struggling through a host of off-the-field problems. Rooney’s tenure both as head coach and caretaker manager did come while the team was under administration and was subsequently relegated to League One, but his record of 25 wins, 21 draws and 38 defeats did little to help.

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Although his start is disappointing, Rooney appears to have been given time to work with his new team at Birmingham and prove himself in the role. His appointment is the latest star name linked with the team after NFL icon Tom Brady became a minority owner of the soccer franchise earlier in the year.

Birmingham City chief executive officer, Garry Cook, said after confirming Rooney’s role: “We are confident that his appointment, supported by his hand-picked coaching staff, will culminate in a young, attack-minded team that will excite our fans. The timing of the appointment will allow Wayne to evaluate the playing staff and work with Craig Gardner on the squad’s recruitment needs ahead of the January and Summer transfer windows. This is a defining moment for the Football Club.”

Rooney and Birmingham’s next test will see the team face second-placed Ipswich Town next on Nov. 4 and another defeat could spell trouble.

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