Former England legend Wayne Rooney has hit back at NFL great Tom Brady after the latter has questioned his work ethic during his short managerial spell with the second-tier English club Birmingham City, Rooney stated that the criticism on him was “very unfair”.
Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who holds a minority stake in Birmingham City, expressed concerns about Wayne Rooney's work ethic in the Amazon Prime documentary series Built In Birmingham.
Rooney, the former Manchester United forward, was removed as the manager of Birmingham in January last year after less than three months in the role, following a winless run that left the club just above the relegation zone.
“I think Tom came in once, which was the day before a game where the days are a little bit lighter anyway, and I don’t think he really understood football that well,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show podcast.
“But what he does understand is he’s a hard worker; we know that.”
Football is not NFL says Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney claimed that Tom Brady does not have enough understanding of Football as he never played it in his life. Rooney highlighted the difference between NFL and Football mentioning NFL works only for three month in a year.
“Football is not the NFL. The NFL works for three months a year. Players do need rest as well, so I think it’s very unfair... the way he’s come out and portrayed that.”
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady became a minority owner in Birmingham in August 2023.
“Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively,” Rooney said.
“He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest athletes of all time, and Birmingham does look like they’re getting it right now, which is good, and I think what they have done is got the players out. They needed to get out.” Rooney concluded.
Despite not being able to produce great results at any level as a manager, Rooney remains one of England's best players in the history of the sport.