'I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient' - Wayne Rooney sends strong message to Tom Brady and Birmingham City board after being dismissed with just two wins from 15 games in charge

The former Manchester United striker was removed as Birmingham head coach just 13 weeks into his tenure, after a 3-0 defeat to Leeds on New Year's Day. Rooney managed to collect just 10 points out of a possible 45 after replacing John Eustace in October, which forced the club to wield the axe.

Rooney has issued his own statement after departing St Andrews, in which he acknowledges the fact performances were not good enough. However, he has also insisted that he needed more time to affect significant change. "I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club," the former England international said. "Football is a results business - and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be. However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed.

"Personally, it will take some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16. Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager."

When Rooney initially assumed the managerial role, Birmingham had accumulated 18 points from their initial 11 Championship matches under Eustace to rise to sixth in the table. However, a disappointing subsequent run under Rooney, marked by nine league defeats, has heightened concerns about potential relegation battle as Birmingham currently sit just two places above the drop zone.

Rooney faced the brunt of disgruntled Birmingham City fans as they hurled abuse in his direction following their 3-0 loss to Leeds, asking him to "get out of our club". Despite the chants, Rooney had vowed to turn around the situation and labelled himself a "fighter".

Steve Spooner, Birmingham's professional development coach, has been handed the first-team reins on an interim basis. His first match will be an FA Cup third-round tie against Hull City on Saturday, with Blues co-owner Brady and the rest of the club's board hopeful that results will start picking up again after another change in the dugout.