Friday briefing: Wayne Rooney hits back at ‘very unfair' Tom Brady
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.'
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.
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.'
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
13 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Marco Silva hails Rodrigo Muniz for shutting out ‘noise' to earn Fulham point
Brazilian forward Muniz, who has been linked with Italian side Atalanta amid reports he wants to play Champions League football, came off the bench to equalise six minutes into added time at the Amex Stadium. The Cottagers looked set to suffer defeat on the opening weekend of the season after falling behind to Matt O'Riley's 55th-minute penalty following Sander Berge's foul on Georginio Rutter. 'I think he deserves respect for that,' replied Silva when asked about 24-year-old Muniz being available to make an impact during uncertainty about his future. 'Rodrigo is still young and the way you can grow in your career is until the end, in my opinion. 'The last two seasons he proved himself as a Premier League striker and I'm sure that this season he's going to be even better. 'He showed everybody, for the noise around him, how he's a professional football player and how he respects myself and the team-mates as well. 'Sometimes it's not easy the rumours around themselves, the people around themselves, you are talking about their jobs as well. 'But I think he's going to handle in the future even better these type of moments.' Muniz celebrated by holding up a Fulham scarf in front of the delirious travelling fans after taking a touch and firing into the bottom right corner following Harry Wilson's corner. Silva singled out the special relationship between the player, who joined from Flamengo in 2021 and hit 11 goals last term, and the club's supporters. 'Rodrigo created something with the Fulham fans that is not so easy to do,' said Silva. 'First of all they recognise his quality and secondly he is a player that always gives everything for the shirt. It's nice to see that he scored and that connection is always there.' Brighton dropped 22 points from winning positions last season. Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler rued his side's lack of ruthlessness but refused to be too downbeat following a familiar story. 'I think that was the only shot they had during the game, so that's something we have to do better,' he said of the late leveller. 'Of course we all wanted to win today and everyone is disappointed in the locker room. But we also have to accept in the last action there is luck sometimes in football and sometimes we are the unlucky team and today we were the unlucky team. 'In the second half we created a lot of chances. Of course we could be more ruthless and score a second goal, but overall I'm very pleased with how together we were. 'It's always the question of perspective – is the glass half full or half empty? For me, it's always full and we really should focus on the things we do well.'
North Wales Chronicle
13 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Thomas Frank toasts perfect start to Premier League life at Tottenham
Frank's managerial debut for Spurs on Wednesday almost ended with silverware, but Paris St Germain fought back from two down late on to clinch Super Cup success on penalties. Former Brentford head coach Frank had warned newly-promoted Burnley would pose a stern test and yet a double by Richarlison secured a first league win since April 6. Richarlison 🤝 Overhead Kicks — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 16, 2025 Richarlison steered home the opener after 10 minutes before his second goal on the hour mark was a superb volley from a Mohammed Kudus cross and Brennan Johnson added another – six minutes later – on a tough top-flight return for Burnley boss Scott Parker at his old club. 'Perfect start or dream start,' Frank reflected. 'We all know we need to follow up on it. Today I will just enjoy it and I hope the players, the club and the fans enjoy it because that is important. 'I think overall it was a good performance, not through the roof. A good performance against a difficult opponent. 'It's never easy in the Premier League – we know that – and after the very short turnaround against PSG. 'Big positive; our medical department and performance department did a top job to make sure the players were ready to go. I think we had eight starters again so that I am happy with.' Richarlison impressed in a 2-2 draw with PSG before Spurs lost on penalties and retained his place with £65million forward Dominic Solanke only recently fit again after an ankle issue. After a largely injury-affected three years at Tottenham, Brazil international Richarlison may have left this summer if a suitable offer was tabled but remains part of the squad and Frank is excited to get more consistency out of the 28-year-old. He added: 'Fantastic he is scoring. The first one is definitely easier to score without being easy, but I have a striker that takes those two chances and helps us win the game. 'He deserves a lot of praise. He was very good against PSG and today he was exceptional, with his work-rate, driving the team, link-up play, hold-up play, just dominating and then the two finishes. 'So happy on his behalf and again, performance department, medical department did a top job to build him. 'Second goal 17 passes in the team I have been told, every player touched the ball and finished with two top actions. 'First from Mohammed Kudus and then second, an exceptional finish by Richarlison. I'm a little disappointed that so early we have goal of the season – but must be a contender.' Spurs boss Frank revealed Yves Bissouma, who was dropped for the Super Cup for repeatedly being late for training, missed this fixture due to injury. Mo Kudus on a strong home debut in N17 🗣️ — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 16, 2025 Burnley had created a number of first-half chances, but were punished for a lack of clinical edge in both boxes. 'It's really fine margins of the Premier League and that's probably the main thing to come out of it today,' Parker admitted. 'The clinicalness of the Premier League, they produce an outstanding, world-class finish to see the game away from us, but I saw some real positives. 'We're disappointed because we came here to try to get a result, but overall there were some really pleasing things.'
North Wales Chronicle
13 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Regis Le Bris praises Sunderland's ‘togetherness' after beating West Ham
Following an eight-year absence from the top flight, second-half goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard and substitute Wilson Isidor wrapped up three points. The Wearsiders cemented their spot in the Premier League with a Championship play-off win against Sheffield United in May and have since made 11 signings in preparation for the competition's demands. Seven new arrivals were handed their Sunderland debuts in the starting line-up, but it was play-off heroes Mayenda, Ballard and Isidor who proved to be the difference. Asked about the importance of those goalscorers, Le Bris said: 'It's really important for two reasons at least, the first one they showed they can step up today. We'll see later, but today it was the case. 'At the same time they are really important because they keep the identity of the club and the way we worked last season. 'We've built this strength about togetherness, about the way we can work as a team and I think we showed it today. These players are important for that.' West Ham had controlled the game in the first half before the hosts grew into the match. Mayenda, goalscorer in the semi-final and the final of last season's play-offs, sent Sunderland ahead in the 61st minute with a header. Ballard extended their lead 12 minutes later, nodding home into the same spot as his last-gasp winner against Coventry in the play-off semi-finals. Another play-off goalscorer Isidor completed the afternoon with a cool finish into the bottom corner and Le Bris urged his newly-promoted side to soak up the moment. He said: 'Just enjoy now, first of all. Second point, Granit (Xhaka) spoke 30 seconds about this togetherness, this way of suffering together because it will be key for the season, stay humble and reset.' West Ham boss Graham Potter believes his side struggled to find their rhythm after half-time. The Hammers found themselves in promising positions around the box throughout the first half, with captain Jarrod Bowen particularly impressing in their attack. Although they continued to retain possession after the break, they struggled to trouble the Sunderland goal until the final stages when Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Callum Wilson went close. Reflecting on the game, Potter said: 'We didn't get into the rhythm at all. 'We started a little bit passive when we had the ball, I think we could've been brave, more assertive and played better. We didn't play at a level I think we can play at. 'It wasn't a result – with the greatest respect – of Sunderland pushing us back and playing well. It was an action, a cross from 30 or 40 metres we should be happy to defend. 'Before you know it, you're 1-0 down here at the Stadium of Light and they've been waiting eight years, of course it's going to be difficult. 'The second goal isn't a particularly good one from our perspective either. 'If you don't do the basics in football, you're in trouble. We've paid that price today.'
