Wayne Rooney made feelings clear on Tom Brady long before NFL icon called out his work ethic

Wayne Rooney has this week been called out for his work ethic by Tom Brady during his time in charge at Birmingham City and now Rooney's own previous quotes about Brady have emerged.

Rooney is one of Manchester United and England's greatest-ever footballers but his managerial career has not gone to plan so far.

He impressed under very difficult circumstances at Derby County before an unconvincing spell in charge of struggling MLS side DC United.

After John Eustace was controversially sacked as Birmingham City manager in October 2023 with the club sixth in the Championship, Rooney was appointed.

The decision was driven by new owners Knighthead Capital who are understood to have wanted a marquee name in charge.

It was a disastrous decision as, under Rooney, Birmingham plummeted down the table and were 20th by January, when they sacked the Englishman.

The decline continued and the club were relegated to League One for just the third time in their history.

Birmingham were relegated to the Championship under Rooney. (Image: Cameron Smith / Stringer via Getty)

In a new Amazon Prime documentary about Birmingham City, minority owner and legendary NFL quarterback Brady criticised Rooney's commitment.

He said: "I'm a little worried about our head coach's work ethic.

"I mean, I don't know, I don't have great instincts on that."

Rooney had already taken a dig at the NFL and Brady years earlier during Super Bowl 46 in 2012.

At the time, Brady played for the New England Patriots, who lost that game 21-17 to the New York Giants.

On X, Rooney wrote: "Trying to watch super bowl final. How do they call this football. Like watching paint dry. Looking forward to adverts and music.

Shortly after, he added: "Seen more of guys in studio than the players at super bowl. Zzzzzzzz hurry up music.

"Rugby league is far better than super bowl. Leeds rhinos to win again. I know its mad but im a rhinos fan."

Wayne Rooney didn't mince his words when discussing the NFL. (Image: Matt McNulty / Stringer via Getty)

Birmingham's fortunes have since turned around under Knighthead.

With Chris Davies in charge, they dominated League One, finishing with 111 points to break the EFL's all-time points record.

They have been active in this summer's transfer window too, signing ex-Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi for around £10 million.

Under Knighthead's ownership, Birmingham are pushing for a return to the Premier League, along with a regeneration of the city.

Rooney's own managerial struggles have continued.

He took over at Plymouth Argyle but won just four of his 24 league games before leaving with the Pilgrims bottom of the Championship.

Although they improved under Miron Muslic, they were relegated.