'An outstanding football brain' - Wayne Rooney backed to succeed in management by ex-England boss Roy Hodgson despite brutal Birmingham sacking after miserable three months

Hodgson, who coached Rooney in the England national team, has backed the 38-year-old to succeed as a manager in the future despite him being sacked by Birmingham City just 13 weeks after his appointment as their head coach. The Crystal Palace boss hailed the Manchester United legend for his "outstanding football brain" and agreed that Rooney was not given enough time to prove himself.

Speaking to The Athletic, Hodgson said, "I know him well, worked with him for four years. He has an outstanding football brain. An icon of English football. One always hopes when an icon gets a chance to step up back in the Championship, he gets a chance to show what he can do. I can only agree with him. The amount of time given was a short one. That's the world we live in at the moment. Wayne understands and accepts that. It's sad that it happened, I know he will bounce back."

At the time the former DC United manager took charge of the Blues, they were occupying a play-offs spot but now the club find themselves 20th in the Championship and are six points above the relegation zone. Under the England legend's tutelage, the Tom Brady-owned side managed to collect just 10 points out of a possible 45 and lost on nine occasions.

Former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch and ex-Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper are being linked with a move to the club as a replacement for Rooney. For now, the Blues will aim to start 2024 on a positive note as they are all set to take on Hull City in an FA Cup third-round clash on Saturday.