Former Birmingham coach sends strong message following his departure

Wayne Rooney admits he has to ‘bounce back’ from Birmingham’s sacking… and the new Plymouth manager insists he can still become a ‘great manager’ despite the setback.

Wayne Rooney believes he can still become a successful manager, despite being fired by Birmingham City following a disastrous term in command.

The Manchester United icon was appointed Birmingham manager in October, but he only managed 15 games before being fired in January.

During his brief stay, Rooney supervised only two wins, as Birmingham dropped from sixth to twentieth place in the Championship.

Birmingham were ultimately relegated at the end of the season, following a turbulent campaign in which four managers led the squad.

Rooney has made a fast return to the dugout after being appointed manager of Plymouth Argyle last week, his fourth managing position.

Rooney told Sky Bet’s The Overlap that he has thought a lot about his 83-day tenure as Birmingham manager in recent months.

He revealed to former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville that he needs to recover in his current situation.

‘It felt strange leaving Birmingham City. It was the first time I’d had a break like that since I joined Everton when I was nine years old,’ Rooney explained.

‘I left Derby, and a week later I went to DC United, and then it was 24 hours after that I went to Birmingham, so this is the first time I’ve had off.

‘You think a lot about what you could have done differently or better; you overthink. I’ve never been one to blame others; I wouldn’t look at them and do so.

‘I believe the [Birmingham City] owners are excellent and will do well in the future, but it’s sport, and when you start a job, especially as a manager, you may be fired.

‘We’ve seen it many times; it’s part of the job and can happen, but what matters is how you recover from it.’

Rooney, who has been house searching in the southwest with wife Coleen, has stated that he hopes to use his previous club experience to help him in his current post.

He faces a difficult assignment at Plymouth, who narrowly survived relegation from the Championship last season.

Despite his setback at Birmingham, the 38-year-old remains confident in his ability to become a top manager.

‘I didn’t feel insecure after the Birmingham job because I always believe in myself and know I’ll be a top manager – I truly believe that.

‘Where I am in my management career, obviously I’ve had a setback, and I may have to drop down [to manage in the lower levels], but that’s not an issue at all.

‘My career as a player does not entitle me to a high post as a manager; I must work hard to get there.’