When football and soccer collide, things can get a little bizarre. In 2023, Tom Brady decided to invest in Birmingham City, an English soccer club where Wayne Rooney was the coach then, but the two legends didn’t quite get along.
Two years ago, Tom Brady retired from the NFL after a highly successful career. He won seven Super Bowls—six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Following his retirement, the former quarterback chose to invest his money to build an even bigger financial legacy for his family, acquiring part of Birmingham City, one of the oldest English soccer clubs.
Wayne Rooney throws jab at Tom Brady for judging his work ethic as manager
In soccer history, Wayne Rooney is regarded as one of the best strikers ever. He had an outstanding career at Manchester United, but his post-playing days have been more challenging.
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Like many former players, Rooney decided to pursue a career in management after retiring. In 2023, Birmingham City hired him as coach, but the results did not meet the front office’s expectations and was fired 15 games later.
That same year, Tom Brady became a part-owner of the club. However, it seems he had limited time to fully understand soccer, and Rooney was reportedly uncomfortable with some of his decisions.
In a documentary about Brady’s investment in Birmingham City, the former quarterback is heard questioning Rooney’s work ethic. Rooney has now responded with a firm reply to TB12, highlighting the differences between football and soccer.
Wayne Rooney of Manchester United shows appreciation to the fans after the final whistle during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal
“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 (soccer) that well,” Wayne Rooney said, via ESPN.com. “But what he does understand is, he’s a hard worker, we know that.”
While Rooney acknowledges Brady as one of the greatest athletes of all time, he believes the former quarterback’s experience in football was not the best for a soccer club.
“Football (soccer) is not NFL,” Rooney added. “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. . . .
“Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively. He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest athletes of all time and Birmingham do look like they’re getting it right now, which is good and I think what they have done is got the players out that they needed to get out.”
