Former Birmingham City winger Jermaine Pennant has delivered a harsh assessment of Wayne Rooney’s early tenure at St Andrew’s Stadium. The ex-Blues player, who departed for Liverpool in 2006 following what many fans consider an unsuccessful stint, predicts that Birmingham will come to regret the decisions made this season.
Rooney’s start in B9 has been challenging, with no victories in his first five matches in charge and only one point earned out of a possible 15. This downturn has alarmed Pennant, witnessing his former team rapidly descend the Championship standings.
Expressing his concern, Pennant stated, “It’s disheartening to witness what’s unfolding at Birmingham. John Eustace must be at home enjoying a cigar and a cup of tea. Birmingham, once comfortably positioned in sixth, now find themselves in 18th place, eight points adrift of safety.”
Describing the situation as a catastrophe and a significant error, Pennant emphasized that there was no justification for considering Rooney or any other manager, given their performance in the previous season. Despite acknowledging it’s early days, he expressed doubt about the direction the team is heading.
Pennant disputed the rationale behind Rooney’s appointment, claiming that he hadn’t earned the right for such a managerial role. He criticized the American owners for potentially viewing Rooney as a marquee name without understanding the dynamics of English football, emphasizing the need for a manager experienced in winning games.
Expressing skepticism about the potential for improvement, Pennant questioned the club’s options in the coming months and predicted Birmingham would remain in the bottom half, battling relegation. He highlighted the lack of significant improvements in the five matches under Rooney, even noting a late collapse in the 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town.
Acknowledging the tough fixtures, Pennant suggested some leniency but emphasized the pivotal nature of the upcoming match against Sheffield Wednesday. He deemed it a must-win game, warning that failure could lead Blues fans to quickly turn on the new manager.
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