Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham nightmare deepened to deafening chants of “Get out of our club!” after a dismal defeat to Leeds United put his future as manager on the line.
Facing a Leeds side hungry for a top-two finish, Birmingham’s hopes evaporated before Patrick Bamford’s first goal since April and Dan James’ deflected strike put the home side in control, Footballrover reports.
But it was the manner of the Blues’ surrender, their ninth loss in 15 games under Rooney, that truly sparked fury, with fans venting their frustration after another toothless display.
I love Wayne Rooney but I just don’t think coaching is for him. He’s terrible ????
— ???????????????????????? (@UtdEra_) January 1, 2024
Leeds fans gleefully tormented their former Manchester United legend, while Junior Firpo and Crysencio Summerville piled on the misery with late goals.
“I’m a fighter,” insisted Rooney, his 20th-placed side now 14 points adrift of where they were when he took charge. “We need reinforcements, but ultimately, the buck stops with me.”
While Rooney shoulders the brunt of the blame, questions loom over new chairman Tom Wagner and the St. Andrews hierarchy for their role in appointing an untested manager and overseeing a dramatic slide from playoff contenders to relegation battlers.
When Birmingham City sacked their manager and hired Wayne Rooney they were in 5th.
They are now 20th in the table. Have won two games in ten and are 21st in the form table. pic.twitter.com/if4M5mdVr9
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) January 1, 2024
Yet, Rooney’s Old Trafford pedigree made him an easy target for both sets of fans. “It’s tough,” he conceded. “But we have to keep working and turning things around.”
Early glimpses of fight came from Siriki Dembele, but his careless touch squashed hopes of an upset.
Bamford’s powerful header opened the scoring, before James’ deflected effort doubled the lead and sent Blues fans into despair.
The second half mirrored the first, with Leeds dominant and Firpo’s assist for Summerville adding insult to injury.
Rooney’s Birmingham dream looks increasingly doomed. Can he silence the doubters, or will the chants of “Get out!” ring ever louder in the coming weeks?
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