Sports
Gone in 15 games: Why Wayne Rooney was sacked by Birmingham
When Wayne Rooney was told his time as Birmingham City manager was up after just 15 games, he was shocked.
Having signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, the former England striker was under the impression he had joined a long-term project. Rooney had enjoyed an open dialogue with the club hierarchy — including chief executive Garry Cook and director of football Craig Gardner — and there had been no indication their faith in him was waning.
Birmingham won just two of Rooney’s 15 games but even after his most recent defeat, at Leeds United on New Year’s Day, he had spoken bullishly of being a “fighter” who would not shirk the challenge of rescuing the team from its tailspin. That run had seen Birmingham slide from sixth to 20th in the Championship table, just six points above the relegation zone.
City supporters had never warmed to Rooney after he replaced the popular John Eustace and by the end of Monday’s game, their cries of “Wayne Rooney, get out of our club” left nobody in any doubt that their minds were made up. Less than 24 hours later, the club’s executives had reached the same conclusion.
Birmingham’s players were told as they arrived at the club’s temporary training ground at Henley-in-Arden yesterday morning. Again the news was greeted with surprise but perhaps some relief, too.
Rooney had been tasked with reinventing a group of players who had developed the reputation for counter-attacking football, of being well organised and hard to beat under Eustace, into a possession-based, attacking side that had to be brave on the ball. It clearly wasn’t working.
The squad had felt the sacking of Eustace had been unnecessary. He was an honest, hard-working coach who had managed the club through difficult times under the previous ownership, but the players had tried to embrace the new approach from Rooney and his new but relatively inexperienced backroom staff, which included the former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole and Rooney’s former Manchester United team-mate John O’Shea.
Wayne Rooney was hired to instil a new style of football at Birmingham (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
There was no evidence that the players weren’t playing for Rooney and there were moments, such as the 2-2 home draw with Ipswich Town and the 1-0 win at Cardiff City, when things seemed set to click. But there were far too few of these moments to appease an unhappy fanbase that saw a team lacking in structure and seemingly confused or incapable of playing how Rooney wanted them to.
GO DEEPER
Why Birmingham brought in Wayne Rooney to replace John Eustace
Rooney wasn’t unpopular with his players, despite the results and some strong public criticism of them from the manager. Rooney had occasionally questioned his squad’s mental strength, ability and even personal pride — comments which had stung a few of them. After the Leeds game, Rooney said the squad desperately needed an overhaul and that recalibrating it to play in the way he wished would take more than one transfer window.
Like many great players who become managers, Rooney had become increasingly frustrated when his players seemed unable to do what he found simple and second nature on the pitch.
Yet he was not particularly interventionist during training sessions. Instead, Rooney took on more of a watching brief, leaving the majority of the work to be done by his assistant Carl Robinson, who had worked with him in MLS at D.C. United, and O’Shea, while Cole would work on set pieces.
Rooney would interject when he saw something he wanted to change or when he wanted to press home a point. But there was a surprise among some that, considering his illustrious career, Rooney wasn’t more hands-on, especially with the attacking players. Very few squad members improved during Rooney’s tenure, except for midfielder Jordan James.
Rooney wasn’t helped by injuries to some of his better players, such as summer recruits Ethan Laird and Tyler Roberts, or a downturn in form from some of his senior players such as goalkeeper John Ruddy and captain Dion Sanderson, but Rooney struggled to get the rest of his group fully on board with the game plans, which frequently changed as he simplified them again and again.
Birmingham were beaten 3-0 at Leeds on Monday (George Wood/Getty Images)
Even though it may have seemed there were improvements in the displays against Cardiff, Leicester City and Plymouth Argyle, the home displays against Stoke City on Boxing Day and then Bristol City — when there were verbal altercations between some of his staff and fans, and Rooney was booed — left his future in jeopardy. When the hardcore away fans turned on him at Leeds, his fate was effectively sealed.
The Birmingham squad were being asked to change their approach dramatically, to move away from a style the players believed in but the club’s hierarchy did not. It may not have been pretty at times under Eustace but this season it had proved effective.
Eustace’s removal was not prompted by a desire to bring in Rooney, but because after failing to finish above 17th in the previous five seasons, they wanted the team to play no-fear football. Eustace felt that was premature for a young group of players that were just getting used to a way of playing he felt was best suited to them.
However, even Rooney quickly realised he had to adjust his ambition as his players struggled to implement his game plan with his full-backs playing high and wide and defenders playing out from the back.
That attacking approach had completely changed by the time of the Bristol City game at St Andrew’s, a drab goalless draw. Rooney admitted afterwards that he had set his side up not to concede having shipped three goals in each of their three previous games.
Before Christmas, Rooney had invited several journalists to watch the last preparation session before the trip to Cardiff, which brought one of his two victories. He insisted his players could do what he was asking them to do in training, but on matchdays would make too many errors, again hinting that the issue was more psychological than technical.
He was probably right about a few within the squad because while some wanted to push on, there was also a sense that some were coasting through the season.
Several players missed their annual Christmas party in early December, feeling it was inappropriate considering their poor form. While the squad was not divided, it was low on confidence. In the end, Rooney was unable to foster positivity.
While some may welcome his departure, there are still many of the staff at the training ground that retain some sympathy with Rooney, who was visible, friendly and approachable. The feeling was he didn’t have the players to deliver on the brief and it would take several transfer windows — and a lot of money — to rectify that.
One of the priorities for the club’s new owners, Knighthead Capital Management, is to reconnect the club with the fans after years of mismanagement. They hoped the appointment of Rooney would do that. Instead, the trust has already fractured.
Birmingham CEO Garry Cook has faced a fan backlash (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
The next decision they make needs to be the right one, and not just because once again Birmingham — the longest-serving Championship club — find themselves in a precarious position.
Cook spent yesterday assessing the managerial options but no candidate is waiting to step in. Professional development coach Steve Spooner will take charge of the FA Cup trip to Hull City on Saturday, assisted by Cole, O’Shea and Pete Shuttleworth, but the need to start picking up points is growing increasingly urgent. They will want their new man in place by the time they return to league action against Swansea City on January 13.
Steve Cooper and Graham Potter, a former Birmingham defender, are available and have Premier League prowess but are extremely unlikely to want the job. Eustace, meanwhile, would be open to the idea of a quick return, but Birmingham are not expected to return to him.
England Under-21 head coach Lee Carsley could be a candidate that ticks many of the boxes. Born in Birmingham, the 49-year-old has played and coached at the club in the past and would be popular with the fans. The way his young England side play is also in line with the club’s vision and he has experience coaching young players. Cole also works with Carsley in the England set-up.
Carsley may not have Rooney’s star power, which could help raise the club’s profile and help revenue growth, but as Birmingham should have learned by now, this is a club that needs substance, not style.
GO DEEPER
Rooney should take his first break in 22 years after Birmingham City exit
(Top photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Sports
Roman Reigns domesticates Jacob Fatu to retain World Heavyweight Championship at WWE Clash in Italy
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Roman Reigns has been called the “Head of the Table” for a reason.
He was an undisputed WWE champion for years and leader of The Bloodline before he made his way back to the top of the company at WrestleMania 42, defeating CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Since the win, Jacob Fatu has been the biggest thorn in his side. Fatu made clear he wanted everything that Reigns had. Reigns’ win over Fatu at Backlash earlier this month wasn’t enough. He challenged Reigns to Tribal Combat at Clash in Italy – a match meant to put Reigns’ title of “Tribal Chief” on the line.
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Roman Reigns delivers a spear to Jacob Fatu during Clash in Italy at Inalpi Arena in Torino di Sangro, Italy, on May 31, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
Reigns had already dispatched challengers to his place in his family when it came to Tribal Combat. Jey Uso and Solo Sikoa both tried and failed over the years. Reigns was trying to make sure that Fatu would never challenge him again in an effort to “domesticate” him. One of the strategies was to eliminate Fatu’s use of the Tongan Death Grip – a move that Fatu has pulled out over and over again.
Reigns used a toolbox to crush Fatu’s hand and, for a moment, keep the use of the Tongan Death Grip at bay. It would take way more than that to keep Fatu down. Reigns knew he needed to dig deep. He speared Fatu through a barricade, trampling security members in the process.
Jacob Fatu prepares for his match during Clash in Italy at Inalpi Arena in Torino di Sangro, Italy, on May 31, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
He walked around the ring yelling that he didn’t need anyone’s help as he took off the turnbuckles. Fatu tried to hit another Tongan Death Grip but couldn’t synch it in. Reigns countered with a Superman Punch, but Fatu ate all of them. Reigns tried for a spear, but Fatu hit it on Reigns first.
Fatu hit a pop-up Samona Drop and then a moonsault. Still, he couldn’t pin Reigns. On the second pin attempt, Reigns hit a low blow on Fatu. The two men, leaving it all on the line, were gassed in the middle of the ring.
Reigns got up and smashed Fatu’s head on the exposed turnbuckle. Fatu was dazed and Reigns speared him through the table. Fatu got back up and Reigns hit one more spear. It was the last one he needed.
Reigns defeated Fatu, keeping the World Heavyweight Championship and remaining the Head of the Table.
Roman Reigns celebrates his win during Clash in Italy at Inalpi Arena in Torino di Sangro, Italy, on May 31, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
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Fatu must now fall in line behind Reigns and The Usos. However, Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga were also looking on to see Fatu’s loss.
Not a cake or a ribbon-wrapped present, but the Dodgers celebrated manager Dave Roberts’ 54th birthday with a 9-1 win over the Phillies on Sunday. The Dodgers ended their homestand with a 5-1 record despite their six-game winning streak ending the night before.
“I like the prospects of winning a baseball game,” Roberts said about what he wanted for his birthday. “It seems like we always play on my birthday. It’s just like any other day. Just kind of a little bit of gratitude, obviously.”
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (4-5) held the Phillies hitless over the first three innings thanks, in part, to the defense.
Phillies left fielder Brandon Marsh tried to steal second in the second inning, but he took off too early. Yamamoto swung around and tossed the ball to Alex Freeland, who nabbed Marsh’s hands.
Yamamoto, much like Roki Sasaki the night before, threw his pitches faster than normal. But the elevated velocity didn’t seem to affect his performance. Despite throwing his four-seam fastball 1 mph faster than usual, the pitch resulted in a strike 76% of the time.
Philadelphia’s Trea Turner and Alex Bohm each snagged singles in the fourth inning, but little came to fruition. When Roberts pulled Yamamoto in the sixth, he had blanked his opponents with 10 strikeouts, four hits and two walks.
“Having a guy like Yoshinobu take the ball, it just gives you that extra confidence,” Roberts said. “You’re trying to win a series against a good team in the midst of 10 in a row. There’s just a lot of dependability with him.”
Yet no one — not the Phillies (30-29) nor the Dodgers (38-21) — had a harder game at the plate than home plate umpire Sean Barber, who had nine ABS challenges, three of which were upheld.
The Dodgers tallied 13 hits against the Phillies, and the runs followed close behind. In the second, Alex Freeland’s RBI double bounced off the center-field wall. As Philadelphia’s Justin Crawford rushed to track it down, Max Muncy sprinted around third and slid into home plate, avoiding the tag by catcher J.T. Realmuto.
Realmuto left in the bottom of the fourth inning with a left wrist contusion from a pitch that had hit him earlier in the game. He will undergo further testing, according to the team.
Kyle Tucker took a step toward overcoming his recent struggles with a third-inning RBI single down the first-base line. The ball skidded against the dirt and deflected off the base over Bryce Harper’s head. Freddie Freeman scored.
Ryan Ward receives a sunflower seed shower from teammate Andy Pages after hitting a home run for the Dodgers on Sunday.
(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
Tucker was one for 17 at Dodger Stadium before he finally connected a hit off Phillies pitcher Andrew Painter (1-6).
“I think that speaks to not being selective enough, because he is a guy that by nature can run deep counts and still be fine getting to two strikes, but it just seems like he’s much more hyperaggressive than I recall,” Roberts said before the game. “That’s just what my eyes see. But, yeah, he’s working hard to try to work through it.”
From there, the Dodgers kept scoring.
Ryan Ward and Freeland each homered to right field. It was Ward’s first home run in his first game at Dodger Stadium. Alex Call, who pinch-hit for Ward in the fifth, also drove in two runs with an RBI single to shallow center left field.
Andy Pages scored in the sixth inning on a Freeman sacrifice fly, and Max Muncy hit a seventh-inning home run.
Bryson Stott finally put the Phillies on the board with a home run in the ninth. By then, though, the Dodgers had already wrapped the bow on Roberts’ birthday gift.
Dodgers activate Jack Dreyer
The Dodgers activated left-handed reliever Jack Dreyer from the injured list and, in a corresponding move, optioned Paul Gervase to triple-A Oklahoma City.
Dreyer had been one of the Dodgers’ most consistent relievers before he missed 13 games with left shoulder inflammation. In 20 appearances, he held a 2.08 ERA with five earned runs and 24 strikeouts.
“Really excited to be back, obviously to do what I can to help the team,” Dreyer said. “Feeling great, so just ready to go whenever my number is called.”
Blake Snell, recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, is throwing plyo balls but is not on a throwing progression yet like closer Edwin Díaz.
Sports
Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann explains why Commanders are poised to bounce back from disappointing season
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Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann, who spent his entire career with the then-Washington Redskins, is excited for the Commanders this season despite an underwhelming season last year.
Last season, the Commanders went 5-12 after making the NFC Championship in 2024. Theismann, 76, said the team ran out of gas last season as they dealt with injuries.
“It was a lot of injuries in key places last year. The defense, I think, was very susceptible in certain areas,” Theismann told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “With Bobby (Wagner) getting older now, obviously, we just sort of ran out of gas. 17 games is a lot of football games, right? I mean, that that’s a lot of wear and tear on your body. I don’t care how young you think you are, your body’s going to tell you you’re not that young.”
Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders looks on from the sidelines after leaving the game during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Dec. 7, 2025. (Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
The Commanders defense struggled last season, giving up 26.5 points per game, which was 27th in the NFL. The team addressed their porous defense in the NFL Draft, drafting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 overall pick.
“Our number one pick is going to be something special going forward,” Theismann said. “I think we added some really great pieces on defense.”
The Commanders invested heavily in their defense. Former Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Odafe Oweh (four-year, $100 million), former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (three-year, $24.75 million), and former Houston Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle (three-year, $24 million) were among their key free agent additions.
Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin missed the majority of the Commanders’ offseason program due to a contract holdout, and Theismann pointed out he will be an active participant in this year’s program.
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION JOE THEISMANN WEIGHS IMPACT OF JAXSON DART-ABDUL CARTER TRUMP CONTROVERSY ON LOCKER ROOM
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl quarterfinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 31, 2025. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
The Commanders made a change at offensive coordinator after mutually agreeing to part ways with Kliff Kingsbury. The Commanders promoted David Blough to replace Kingsbury, and Theismann noted how the offense will be called differently.
“I think David Blough will call the games a little differently than Kliff did. A Little more play action, a little more under center. And this is what Jayden (Daniels) had a chance to work on while he was not participating in the games at the end of the season. So, he’s a little bit ahead of the curve when it comes to that as well,” Theismann said.
Daniels was limited to just seven games due to injury last season, giving him the opportunity to get a head start on a new system late in the season.
Theismann did note that while the Commanders got better, the rest of the NFC East got better as well.
“The division itself has improved. The Giants got better. I think the coaching change makes a difference. Jaxson Dart is coming into another year. Defensively, they really didn’t play to the talent that they have,” Theismann said. “The Cowboys added defensive talent. They needed some help there. The Eagles are the Eagles; they’re not going away. I mean, everybody is trying to bust on Jalen (Hurts) and all he does is show up and do the job and win football games.”
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Former player Joe Theismann speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football Team’s name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField in Landover, Md., on Feb. 2, 2022. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Theismann played in the NFL for 12 seasons, spending his whole career with the then-Washington Redskins. He was named the league MVP in 1983 and made the Pro Bowl twice.
He led the Redskins to the Super Bowl in 1982, when they beat the Miami Dolphins 27-17 in Super Bowl XVII. In his career, Theismann completed 56.7% of his passes for 25,206 yards with 160 touchdowns and 138 interceptions.
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Theismann will be competing in the American Century Championship from July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe. The tournament will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
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