Wayne Rooney's credentials questioned following Birmingham City links

14 September 2023 , 15:20

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Wayne Rooney's credentials questioned following Birmingham City links

Simon Jordan has questioned whether Wayne Rooney is ready to take over as manager of Birmingham City.

The former Crystal Palace chairman weighed in on speculation the 37-year-old could be lined up to replace John Eustace at St Andrew's. The talkSPORT pundit seemed unconvinced that Rooney would be the right fit for Brum, questioning the former Manchester United icon's coaching credentials.

A vacancy could appear if the Blues boss is lured to Rangers, should current incumbent Michael Beale lose his job. Appointed to the role at Ibrox in the summer, Steven Gerrard's one-time assistant at the Glasgow club has oversaw an inconsistent start to the campaign. The Gers currently sit in fourth place in the SPL after four fixtures played and lost 1-0 at home to arch enemies Celtic most recently. If Birmingham chief Eustace was to head north of the border, Rooney is said to be the club's first-choice to replace him.

While discussing the morning headlines with presenter Jim White, his outspoken right-hand man Jordan issued a blunt response to the report. Jordan said: "[Rooney] is still very young but if you look at his body of work it’s unimpressive. I know with the Derby situation people will say he held it together and worked in difficult conditions, and I get that, but I look at his record at DC - what are you going to do with a 27 percent win record? Where’s that going to get you? I will tell you where it’s going to get you, relegated in every division you’re in."

In reference to the former Everton boy wonder's two coaching campaigns at Derby County, Jordan conceded Rooney's record was "alright" at Pride Park. That said, he was unequivocal in his view that the Old Trafford favourite's CV does not indicate his suitability for the Birmingham job.

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Simon Jordan has questioned whether Wayne Rooney's coaching CV is good enough

He added: "[Rooney] got a job in the [Derby] dugout because everything was falling apart, held it together by the skin of his teeth in his first season. The latitude that he was given at Derby, to be given an opportunity I think served him in good stead. Let's say, for the purposes of this conversation, he did alright. But now we are in a situation where, judging by him in America, what about a 27 per cent win record tells you that that translates, besides it’s Wayne Rooney."

Rooney's long-term future in MLS seems to be up in the air, with his contract at D.C. United set to expire at the end of the season. The former England all-time leading goalscorer has requested talks with the team's board but they have not been forthcoming with a fresh offer.

Tom Beattie