Tom Brady questions Wayne Rooney's 'work ethic' during Birmingham City tenure as he describes relegated squad as 'entitled and lazy'

NFL legend and Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady questioned former England captain Wayne Rooney's work ethic during his time in charge of the Blues. Rooney was appointed just two months after Brady arrived at St Andrew's, but lasted just 83 days as he took them from 6th to 20th in the Championship. In a new documentary set to air on Friday, Brady is seen to query Rooney's attitude.

‘It’s been a lot’ – Gyokeres on adjusting to life at Arsenal and ‘honour’ of wearing iconic number

Video credit: CNN

Tom Brady questioned Wayne Rooney’s "work ethic" during the former England captain’s tenure as Birmingham City manager.

In a new Amazon Prime documentary series set to air on Friday, NFL legend Brady, who is a minority owner of the Blues, also calls the team’s players "lazy and entitled".

The series follows Birmingham’s relegation from the Championship during the 2023/24 campaign following the club’s takeover that summer, and their immediate return to the division with a record points tally.

Premier League

How Salah can surpass Rooney as Liverpool welcome United to Anfield

16/10/2025 at 14:18

Rooney was one of seven managers to take charge of the club during the new ownership’s first year in charge as they were relegated to League One, with the former Manchester United striker lasting just 83 days in the role.

A scene in the new documentary shows seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady expressing his concern to colleagues over Rooney’s credentials in November 2023.

The American says: "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."

Wayne Rooney wurde bei Birmingham City gefeuert

Image credit: Getty Images

Awkward encounters between the pair also feature in the show, with Rooney explaining to the retired quarterback the issues present at the club.

The former England man says: "Why they're playing in the Championship and not the Premier League is because... we've all passed a ball, kicked the ball and run, but it's a focus, concentrated for 90 minutes."

In a subsequent scene, as he watches a training session, Brady admits: "We've got a long road ahead."

Wayne Rooney says ‘of course’ he’d like to manage Man United in the future

Video credit: SNTV

Rooney’s appointment, which came two months after Brady’s arrival, was a controversial one, replacing John Eustace as Birmingham sat sixth in the Championship.

The club then dropped to 20th during Rooney’s spell in the dugout at St Andrew’s, and one fan in the documentary suggests the appointment of "one of the most recognisable English footballers of the last generation" was made to "put a load of eyes on Birmingham City".

The supporter adds: "What qualifies Wayne to manage Birmingham City? Nothing."

Reflecting on the first season under the new ownership, Brady says: "There was some good advice that I got that was like, 'listen, don't go in there and make these big, sweeping changes - you guys have time'.

"And of course, we make sweeping changes."

Rob McElhenney, Mitbestitzer von Wrexham und Tom Brady, Investor bei Birmingham City

Image credit: Getty Images

On another occasion, Brady suggests the relegation during the 2023/24 campaign was down to the "lazy and entitled" attitude of the players.

He says: "Well, we've already changed the coach, so it's really the players because the coach doesn't go out there and put the ball in the goal.

"They were lazy, they were entitled, and when you're lazy and entitled, you don't have much of a chance to succeed.

"We've got to change all the people that are associated with losing, so I think this summer there's going to be a lot of people gone."

During the 2024 summer window, the club invested £30m in new signings, smashing the League One transfer record as they signed Jay Stansfield for £10m.

The heavy spending paid off as they stormed to the League One title under Chris Davies to return to the Championship with a record tally of 111 points.

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers

No place like home - Best players to return to former clubs

10/09/2025 at 23:36

Transfers

Three clubs chase Dele as Onana nears Trabzonspor loan switch - Paper Round

07/09/2025 at 22:50

Thoughts?