When a global sports icon like Tom Brady enters the world of football (yes, the soccer kind), you expect some culture clashes—but few expected this much drama.
Brady’s behind-the-scenes documentary about his involvement with Birmingham City FC has sparked a major stir, particularly after a now-viral moment showed him casting doubts on Wayne Rooney’s work ethic.
A New Chapter, A Familiar Face—and Instant Controversy
The documentary, Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues, dropped recently, offering fans a five-part deep dive into the club’s operations, from players and staff to the ownership circle—which includes Brady himself.
The show promised transparency. And it delivered… maybe a little too much.
One scene in particular didn’t sit well with football fans.
While leaving a training session during Rooney’s short managerial spell at the club, Brady turns to his business manager, Ben Rawitz, and casually says, “I’m a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic.”
Rawitz doesn’t hesitate to add, “Comes across as lackadaisical.”
The internet didn’t hold back.
Fans Fire Back at Brady’s “Lack of Class”
The response on social media was instant and fiery. “To say that about the Tom Brady of English football is crazy,” one fan posted.
Others called out the former NFL quarterback for lacking “class” and being out of touch with the game.
Another user put it more bluntly: “Slandering a legendary player on camera is as low as it gets.”
Many questioned Brady’s authority to comment on a sport he’s still new to, with one fan sarcastically suggesting, “Maybe he should manage the team himself.”
Rooney’s Rocky Run at Birmingham
To be fair, Rooney’s time at Birmingham wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.
He was brought in during a push for the playoffs, replacing the popular John Eustace despite the team being in decent form.
Backed by Knighthead Capital and Brady’s name recognition, expectations were high—but results didn’t follow.
Rooney lasted just 15 games and was shown the door in January 2024.
Unfortunately, things only went downhill from there, with the club suffering relegation by the end of the season.
Brady Admits He Got It Wrong
Surprisingly, Brady doesn’t shy away from taking some of the blame.
In another part of the documentary, he reflects on the decision to bring Rooney in—and how it backfired.
“I had good advice: ‘Don’t go in there and make sweeping changes. You guys have time,’” Brady says.
“But we made sweeping changes that put us in decline. That was our doing.”
That kind of self-awareness was rare throughout the doc, but fans still found his earlier criticism of Rooney hard to digest.
Players and Performance Under the Microscope
Brady didn’t just stop at Rooney—he also criticized the players after their relegation.
“They were lazy and entitled, which doesn’t give you much chance to succeed,” he said, calling the season a “s*** year” overall.
The harsh words drew even more criticism, with fans pointing out that adapting to a new sport’s culture requires more listening and less finger-pointing.
Rooney Moves On—but Results Still Lag
After leaving St Andrews, Rooney wasn’t out of work for long.
He signed on with struggling Plymouth Argyle in the Championship and did slightly better there.
But again, the results were disappointing—five wins in 25 matches—and relegation loomed once more.
Still, Rooney defended his track record, pointing to the painfully short time he had to implement his ideas.
“Football is a results business—and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be,” he wrote after his Birmingham exit.
“However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires, and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient.”
What’s Next for Both Legends?
It’s clear that Tom Brady is still adjusting to life on this side of the sports world.
His blunt approach, while refreshing to some, has ruffled feathers in the tight-knit football community.
Rooney, on the other hand, is still trying to find his managerial groove.
Whether he gets another chance in the dugout remains to be seen—but there’s no denying the scrutiny that will follow him now.
As for Birmingham City? A new season brings new hopes.
And thanks to this documentary, plenty of eyes will be watching their next move.