Wayne Rooney and Tom Brady Clash in Birmingham City Docuseries

London, Aug 14 (AP) — Former England soccer star Wayne Rooney has found himself at odds with NFL legend Tom Brady following some pointed remarks in a behind-the-scenes documentary. Brady, who became a minority owner of Birmingham City in 2023, participated in a docuseries titled “Built in Birmingham” that provided viewers with an inside look at the club, once managed by Rooney, the celebrated ex-Manchester United striker.

In a segment that quickly made the rounds on social media, Brady expressed concerns, stating he was "a little worried about our head coach's work ethic." The remarks were about Rooney, who helmed the team for a brief 83-day stint before being dismissed as Birmingham faltered in the second-tier Championship.

Responding to the seven-time Super Bowl winner, Rooney, now lending his insights as a BBC pundit, said the comment was “very unfair.” Rooney elaborated, “Tom came in once, which was the day before a game, which is typically less intensive,” he shared in a BBC interview, “and I don’t think he really understood football at that time. Maybe he does now.

Nevertheless, Rooney acknowledged Brady’s reputation for diligence. "What he does understand is that he’s a hard worker. We know that. That’s why I’m really disappointed with the comment. Football isn’t like the NFL. In the NFL, you work three months a year, and players need rest, so I think he was quite unfair in his assessment." Despite falling to relegation that season, Birmingham quickly bounced back and is competing once more in the Championship, just a step away from the Premier League.

Rooney maintained respect for the American icon, stating, “Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively — he’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest athlete of all time. It’s heartening to see Birmingham getting things right now.”

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