Wayne Rooney has hit back at NFL legend Tom Brady, branding the American’s criticism of his work ethic at Birmingham City as 'very unfair.'
Rooney, who was sacked after just 83 days in charge at St Andrew’s in January 2024, addressed the remarks on his new podcast The Wayne Rooney Show.
The former England captain was responding to comments made by Brady in a behind-the-scenes documentary about his involvement at Birmingham, where he became a minority owner in August 2023.
During the programme, Brady expressed concern after visiting the club’s training ground in November 2023, telling colleagues he was 'a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic.'
Wayne Rooney has hit back at NFL legend Tom Brady, branding the American’s criticism of his work ethic at Birmingham City as 'very unfair'
|PA
Rooney insists the impression Brady formed was misleading and has now hit back.
“I think Tom came in once – the day before a game – which is naturally a lighter session,” he explained.
“I don’t think he really understood football that well. But what he does know is hard work, and we all respect that.
“Football is not the NFL - the NFL runs for three months a year.
"In our sport, players need rest as well. So I think it’s very unfair the way he’s come out and portrayed that.”
Knighthead Capital Management took over Birmingham in June 2023, appointing Rooney in October after controversially replacing John Eustace, despite the team sitting sixth in the Championship.
But Rooney’s 15-game spell brought just two wins, leaving the club 20th before Tony Mowbray took over.
Reflecting on his time, Rooney said: “When I went into Birmingham, they were in a mess really.
Wayne Rooney struggled during his time in charge of Birmingham prior to his sacking in January 2024
| PA"The squad wasn’t full of players who could take the club forward.
"Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett came after me and they struggled as well.”
Despite his frustration over the comments, Rooney was keen to acknowledge Brady’s stature.
“Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively. He’s one of the greatest – if not the greatest – athletes of all time," he continued.
"And Birmingham do look like they’re getting it right now, which is good. They’ve moved out the players they needed to.”
In the same documentary, Brady also criticised members of Birmingham’s relegated 2023-24 squad, describing them as “lazy and entitled.”
As for Rooney, the 39-year-old was appointed as Plymouth manager in the summer of 2024.
However, his time in charge of the Pilgrims failed to live up to expectations and he was sacked on New Year's Eve.
Wayne Rooney was sacked by Plymouth on New Year's Eve after a torrid stint in the dugout | PA
Rooney, since then, has admitted he'd like to return to management.
However, he's set to work in punditry for the 2025/26 Premier League season having agreed a deal with the BBC.