5 days ago
Watch: Wayne Rooney hits back at NFL legend Tom Brady
One of the growing trends in the 2020s in English football has been the rise of American celebrities getting involved in owning clubs.
You obviously have the famous example of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney owning Wrexham. McElhenney came up with the idea to buy the Welsh side after watching the Netflix docuseries 'Sunderland 'til I die' and wanting to replicate a series like that with his own club.
A few years after the launch of the 'Welcome to Wrexham' docuseries, Wrexham are one of the fastest growing clubs in the UK with a new International reach.
This has led to more celebrities getting involved in ownership groups in English football. You have Michael B. Jordan at Bournemouth, Will Ferrell at Leeds United and also NFL great Tom Brady at Birmingham City. NFL legend Tom Brady in the stand before the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Leeds United at St Andrews, Birmingham on Saturday 12th August 2023. Pic: Gustavo Pantano/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Brady got involved with The Blues back in August 2023, buying a 5% ownership stake in the club as part of the aptly named Shelby Companies Ltd (Peaky Blinders reference for those unfamiliar). It was in that season that Brady and co began filming a docuseries which has just been released on Amazon Prime this summer.
'Brady & The Blues' documents the NFL great's first year in Birmingham and one of the biggest talking points coming out of it was Brady's comments about then manager Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney during his time at Birmingham City. Pic:Rooney was in the midst of a tough season at Birmingham City which ultimately saw them get relegated from the Championship. In the doc, during the November of that season, Brady is seen saying that he was 'a little worried about our head coach's work ethic.' Rooney would be sacked that January.
Speaking on his new podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the Manchester United great spoke about his experiences with Brady, or lack thereof.
'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 then went on to explain that perhaps Brady's lack of experience in football led to the portrayal we saw in the doc.
'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.' Wayne Rooney as Birmingham City manager. Pic: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney has been out of football management since leaving Plymouth Argyle in December 2024 when he left with the south coast side at the bottom of the Championship.
Birmingham spent just one season down at League One, getting promoted last season with a record points total. Their return to the Championship got off to a solid start last week as they drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town, who are one of the favourites to get promoted.
