Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney’s role in Birmingham City relegation from Championship

Birmingham City have been relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in 30 years, four months after Wayne Rooney’s ill-fated spell.

The Manchester United legend was brought into St Andrew’s after the Blues parted company with John Eustace, despite being in the top six of the table. Rooney barely lasted three months before heading out of the exit door.

That was his third managerial role, having taken charge of Derby County when they were relegated to League One amid turbulent administration troubles in 2022 before spending three months at US MLS franchise DC United last year. Rooney says he plans to get back into the management game, although now has a big blip on his CV.

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Few were shocked when Birmingham unveiled Rooney as their new boss on October 11 after weeks of intense speculation. Many questioned the move given Eustace’s work in steering the Blues away from relegation last season and starting the new campaign well.

Some criticised new owners Shelby Companies Limited - who, with NFL legend Tom Brady on board, had completed their takeover in July - for appearing to seek a celebrity signing for commercial purposes.

"Wayne is a born winner," insisted Blues co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner at the time. "His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City.”

Rooney added: “We will create a winning culture here with an identity that gets Blues fans on their feet. My job is to elevate the club to the next level.”

During his first outing away at Middlesbrough, Rooney admitted having a “strange feeling” when