11 October 2023 , 05:39
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Birmingham City ’s new owners waited for Wayne Rooney to finish his American adventure before axing John Eustace.
The club’s owners formally assumed control at St Andrew’s in July but quickly earmarked the former England great to take over the reins. However, they did not want to pay compensation for the 37-year-old - so delayed his appointment until he had finished with DC United.
Rooney left his position in Washington at the weekend after the club’s failure to reach the end-of-season play-offs. And that left the road clear for Brum to approach Rooney without shelling out for his services.
That partly explains the timing of the decision to remove Eustace from the post he had held for 15 months. But it came at an unfortunate time as far as the club’s owners were concerned as they had to squirm in their seats as back-to-back victories over Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion lifted the Blues into sixth spot in the Championship.
It left them in a difficult position with Eustace who, prior to that, had suffered a six-game run without a win - and that would have given them a justifiable reason to sack the 43-year-old. After unveiling Tom Brady as a minority investor, Knighthead Capital were always likely to back it up with a headline-grabbing managerial appointment.
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It is understood that Eustace was aware that his position was under threat and his reaction to the 3-1 victory over the Baggies suggested he knew his time was up. Rooney is expected to meet his new charges tomorrow morning when he takes training for the first time with his public unveiling due to take place in the next 24 hours.
John Eustace was sacked after a 3-1 victory over West Brom (Getty Images)Have Birmingham made the right decision replacing John Eustace with Wayne Rooney? Share your thoughts in the comments below
In the meantime, club CEO Garry Cook has explained the decision to jettison Eustace in an open letter to supporters. It read: "There is never a good time to make such a decision. You need to process all of the opinions and reach the best outcome for the future.
"Tom Wagner has been very clear with the ownership’s ambition for Birmingham City. It is to make the Club a beacon for sporting excellence and to proudly be at the centre of Birmingham’s community. There is a plan and every decision we take is with the Club's best interests at heart.
"John had clear ambitions and goals for the season. Unfortunately, following a series of meetings over a number of months, it became clear that there was a misalignment with the leadership of the Club. When this happens, the best thing to do is to part company.
"The timing of the decision allows the incoming manager sufficient time to evaluate the playing staff ahead of the January and summer transfer windows."