Wayne Rooney acknowledges the frustrations of Birmingham City fans after suffering back-to-back losses in his initial two games as manager. He is urging patience as he undertakes a transformation of the team’s playing style. The team was in sixth place in the Championship when John Eustace was removed as the Blues’ boss, but they have since slipped to 12th, failing to score any goals since Rooney, the Manchester United legend, took charge.
Following a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough and a 2-0 loss at home to Hull City, some Birmingham fans expressed their discontent by booing the team off the pitch at St Andrews. Rooney understands that certain supporters are dissatisfied but believes that improvements will come once he effectively communicates his vision to the players and when new talent is introduced.
In a message to the fans, Rooney told Sky Sports, “Please be patient. I comprehend your concerns. The club parted ways with a highly regarded manager who had done an admirable job in stabilizing the team, so I understand the frustration to some extent. However, we need to focus on where we aspire to go, not just where we are now. That’s our goal, our ambition, and what we aim to achieve.”
He also conveyed to the players that they would be adopting a different playing style, which might be uncomfortable for some, and encouraged them to express any discomfort. Rooney emphasized his openness and clarity regarding the change in playing style. He emphasized that he doesn’t want to force players too far out of their comfort zone, as he felt they might have been in the past two games, particularly in terms of building from the back.
He mentioned that in January and the summer, they would be working on building the squad to suit their style better. However, he also stressed that the current players have an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and alignment with the new direction. Rooney pointed out areas for improvement, including game management and decision-making, which he believes need substantial enhancement.
He expressed his determination to prove himself as a coach at Birmingham and to guide the team out of the Championship. The next challenge for Rooney and his team is a demanding away match against Southampton on Saturday at noon.
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