Birmingham player reveals what surprised him most about Wayne Rooney during disastrous spell as manager

A Birmingham City player has revealed what surprised him the most during Wayne Rooney’s time in charge of the club.

Back in October, former Manchester United and England superstar Rooney was appointed Birmingham manager after leaving MLS side DC United.

However, it was a disastrous appointment as the Blues fell from sixth place in the Championship to 20th.

Eventually, Rooney was sacked by Birmingham in January after just 15 games in charge.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Fozcast with former Blues goalkeeper Ben Foster, John Ruddy revealed the most surprising thing about Rooney.

Foster asked: “What was his demeanour like, his character? Obviously, as a player, we all know what Wayne Rooney was like. All action, he was like a bull, he was happy to lose his rag at a moment’s notice, what was he like as a manager?”

Ruddy replied: “That’s the biggest thing that surprised me, he was the complete opposite.

“To be fair, he eluded to it in a couple of meetings where he realised he was probably too hot-headed a lot of the time as a player.”

The goalkeeper continued: “And when he stepped into management, he made sure he was more conscious and more concise with the way he spoke to people, the way he delivered information.

“I think there were a couple of times where he probably should have lost his head but tried to remain calm and be true to the demeanour that he wants to be perceive as a manager so that was the biggest thing that surprised me, how calm he was.”

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After being sacked in January, Rooney returned to management last month after he was confirmed as Plymouth Argyle’s new head coach.

Rooney told the club’s official website: “Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the Chairman and Board for the faith they have shown in me.

“This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.”

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