Friday briefing: Rooney hits back at Brady and Newcastle chase Ramsey
Wayne Rooney claims Birmingham minority owner Tom Brady's criticism of him during his spell as the club's manager was 'very unfair'.
Rooney, sacked by Birmingham in January 2024 after less than three months in charge, said he was 'really disappointed with the comment' on his new podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, which launches on Friday.
NFL great Brady, who became a minority shareholder at Birmingham in August 2023, said he was 'a little worried about our head coach's work ethic' during a documentary after visiting Blues' training ground the following November.
Speaking via his new show on the BBC, the ex-Everton and Manchester United striker said: 'I think Tom came in once, which was the day before a game where the days are a little bit lighter anyway, and I don't think he really understood football that well.
'But what he does understand is – he's a hard worker – we know that.'
Rooney added: 'Football is not NFL – NFL works for three months a year. Players do need rest as well, so I think he's very unfair, the way he's come out and portrayed that.'
Men on the move
Jacob Ramsey is set to join Newcastle (Zac Goodwin/PA)
Newcastle have agreed a fee for Aston Villa winger Jacob Ramsey.
The 24-year-old is due to travel to the north east for a medical after a deal in the region of £40million was agreed, the PA news agency understands.
The prospective sale of Ramsey, who has made 167 appearances at Villa Park, will represent pure profit for Villa, who are walking a UEFA financial fair play and PSR tightrope and need to sell.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have agreed a £30million fee for Manchester City's James McAtee and a club-record £37m deal for Ipswich forward Omari Hutchinson.
Kick It Out want action
We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night's UEFA Super Cup defeat.
Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards – hiding behind anonymous… pic.twitter.com/rOF1WYeos4
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 14, 2025
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out says players may think twice about taking penalties in future after Tottenham's Mathys Tel received online racist abuse.
France Under-21 international Tel is the latest player to be targeted on social media after he missed a spot kick in Wednesday night's UEFA Super League penalty shoot-out defeat to Paris St Germain.
A Kick It Out statement read: 'If you're a black player, it would be totally understandable to think, 'Why would I want to take a penalty?' That's the state of the game right now, and the sad fact is, it's nothing new.
'Players are routinely targeted with racism online and want action; we want action, too. Accountability from offenders and social media companies is a baseline, but it's not being met.'
What's on today
The 25/26 Premier league season awaits ⌛️ pic.twitter.com/DR0VHIs8uw
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 14, 2025
The Premier League returns with champions Liverpool kicking off the new campaign against Bournemouth.
It is sure to be an emotional night at Anfield as the club pay tribute to Diogo Jota following the forward's tragic death in the summer.
A host of managers will face the media, with Pep Guardiola, Ruben Amorim, Thomas Frank and Enzo Maresca among those speaking.
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