26 October 2023 , 10:30
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It will go down as the shortest project in English football history.
Wayne Rooney arrived to manage Birmingham City against a soundtrack of ‘no fear football’ being trumpeted by the latest bunch of Yankee owners looking to turn a quick buck. Citing a lack of alignment of ambition (whatever that means) with previous boss John Eustace and a desire for an entertaining brand of winning football, a stake was placed in the sand.
Which is entirely appropriate. Because, without proper support, it fell over inside four days. Clueless at Middlesbrough. Wretched against Hull City. And it toppled over. Of course it did.
Yep, ‘no fear football’ was replaced by ‘no idea football’ after little more than 180 minutes as the St Andrew’s soundtrack changed from yee-haw triumphalism to outright derision.
It was entirely fitting that the matchday programme on Wednesday night should proclaim ‘back in black’ in bold lettering - it captured the mood from first to last.
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That marketing blurb might have been a reference to a new third kit but Rooney emerged to a fanfare of tumbleweed and was booed to the tunnel at half-time. By the final whistle was being serenaded to the tune of: ‘F*** off back to America’ by a few voices in the main stand.
Moments later, he went into the dressing room and - by his own admission - said to the players: ‘What do you think?’
This is supposed to be the club’s saviour - I mean, way to go, Wayne - a manager ditching the manifesto on which he has been elected inside half a week. There are politicians who couldn’t live with a U-turn that quick.
Wayne Rooney's Birmingham were beaten 2-0 by Hull on Wednesday (Getty Images)Contrary to what those employed at executive levels in football think - and this goes for supporters at all clubs, not just Birmingham City - those who scrimp, save, borrow and beg to watch their teams are the very best barometer. They know what they are seeing.
Expectation levels may differ - and they have been low at St Andrew’s for over a decade due to clueless, ill-educated mismanagement - but here, finally, was the alternative. Birmingham City fans weren’t relieved. They were bloody ecstatic.
To go from that to the kind of anger and frustration sweeping a half re-built stadium takes some doing. Talk about pricking the bubble of optimism.
Your correspondent sought clarity: “Could you understand why the supporters were frustrated? Two weeks ago, there was a tub-thumping victory over West Brom. To use the vernacular, it was full of snot and guts which is what they like here. Today, and I appreciate you’re trying to change things but how long do you think it will take?”
The reply: “Well, it’s been two weeks.”
“Okay, but the judges are out there and they didn’t seem happy…
“You’ve had snot and guts for 10 years and it’s been difficult. There’s a clear way forward for the club. That’s not going to happen overnight. I can get players up the pitch, get the players forward, look to pick up second balls. That’s fine. Maybe I’ve asked them to do too much.”
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Wayne Rooney has not yet won over the support of Birmingham fans (PA)There has been barely concealed arrogance by those making the decisions over the manner in which Eustace was dumped. There was alignment. The supporters were happier. Progress was being made.
Judge Birmingham City fans however you like, but one characteristic runs through them like lettering through a stick of rock: Realism.
In the words of former club legend Karen Carney which scream at you from the wall at the entrance of the press centre. “I’m from Birmingham,” it reads, “we know what we are.”
It’s time that was recognised higher up the food chain. Or else the soundtrack to this might get a lot noisier. And quickly.