Wayne Rooney shares same ‘non-negotiables’ that made Birmingham investor Tom Brady a seven-time Super Bowl winner in the NFL

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Brady claimed seven Super Bowl rings during his historic stint as a legendary quarterback in American football. He has now branched out into soccer circles, acquiring a stake in Championship side Birmingham.

Ambitious plans are being drawn up at St Andrew’s, with Manchester United and England icon Rooney playing a prominent role in them as he has been lured back to his homeland after a spell in charge of MLS side D.C. United.

Rooney has told Blues TV of the demands that he will be making as a coach, with Brady likely to be fully behind his vision: “I think the boys have bought into what I want to do and how I want to play. I always want my teams to be intense, to be front-footed and to try and win the ball back up high. Nothing crazy – not a stupid press – but a more calculated press. When we press, we press as a team and we have to be aggressive. With the ball, we want to keep it and make it difficult for opponents. Ultimately, the basics of the game – tackling, running, the mentals – all have to be there. They’re all non-negotiables with the players. On top of that, it’s all about the feeling, especially with the attacking players, to go and express themselves and be exciting. That’s what the fans want to see, that’s what I want to see, and hopefully that’ll help us.”

Rooney has inherited a side sat sixth in the Championship table, as Birmingham look to force their way back into the Premier League, and added on how he intends to build on the foundations put in place by his predecessor John Eustace: “John has left the team in a really good place. It’s on me and my coaches now to try and elevate the team. I’ve been pleased with how the players have taken the information that we have given them. The way I want the team to play is different to the way John did. John was more transitional, I want to be more front-footed and win the ball back higher up the pitch and try and dominate possession. It will take time, that’s why we signed a three-and-a-half-year deal. From what I have seen in the last week there’s a lot to be encouraged about.”