Tom Brady has spoken publicly for the first time since leaving Birmingham City, describing his three-year involvement with the Championship club as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion confirmed his departure in a heartfelt Instagram statement on Tuesday, following news on Monday that he had ended his association with the club as a minority investor.
Brady Thanks Birmingham City Fans and Players
In his statement, Brady expressed gratitude to the players, manager Chris Davies, coaching staff, club employees and supporters for their contributions during his time at Birmingham.
He wrote: “Being part of Birmingham City Football Club the last three years has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life.”
Brady also acknowledged the work of those behind the scenes, praising their dedication and commitment to the club.
Addressing the supporters directly, he added: “Most of all, thank you to the people of Birmingham.
Your passion, your loyalty, and the way you show up for this club through every high and every hard day are what make it so special.
“I’ll always be rooting for your success. Keep Right On.”
Birmingham City Pays Tribute to Departing NFL Legend
Birmingham City had issued its own statement on Monday night, thanking Brady for his involvement and support over the previous three years.
The club said it was grateful to have someone with his experience and enthusiasm associated with the organisation.
It also expressed confidence in building on the foundations established during his involvement, from activities at the training ground to its connection with the wider Birmingham community.
Brady Joined Birmingham During 2023 Takeover
The former NFL quarterback became a minority investor in Birmingham City in the summer of 2023, following a takeover led by billionaire Tom Wagner’s Knighthead Capital.
His involvement attracted considerable attention, with his role in the club’s ownership and ambitions documented in a five-part Amazon series titled Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues.
The documentary followed the new ownership group’s plans to transform the Midlands club and included footage of Brady’s interactions with the management team.
Documentary Revealed Brady’s Concerns Over Wayne Rooney
One of the most discussed moments in the series involved Brady’s assessment of former Birmingham manager Wayne Rooney.
Rooney had been appointed to replace John Eustace, but his time in charge lasted just 83 days before he was dismissed.
The documentary showed Brady visiting the club’s training ground to observe a team meeting and training session conducted by Rooney.
After leaving the facility, Brady expressed concerns about the manager’s approach while speaking to his business manager, Ben Rawitz.
“I’m a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic,” he said.
Rawitz responded by describing Rooney as appearing “lackadaisical”.
Brady later acknowledged that replacing Eustace with the former England captain had been a mistake.
He also admitted that the club had ignored advice against introducing major changes too early.
“I had good advice, ‘Don’t go in there and make sweeping changes. You guys have time’,” Brady said.
“But we made sweeping changes that put us in decline. That was our doing.”
£3 Billion Sports Quarter Project Remains a Major Ambition
During Brady’s association with Birmingham City, the club’s ownership group unveiled ambitious plans for a major redevelopment project in the city.
The proposed 20-year project, known as the Sports Quarter, has an estimated investment of £3 billion, equivalent to approximately $4 billion.
The development is planned for a 48-acre site in east Birmingham and is expected to include a new 60,000-capacity stadium and training facilities, alongside underground transport infrastructure.
However, the project has experienced changes to its original schedule, with the expected completion date for the new stadium moving from 2029 to 2031.
London-based Heatherwick Studio is reportedly set to work alongside Kansas City-based Manica on the stadium’s design.
The proposed concept is expected to feature a chimney-inspired theme reflecting Birmingham’s industrial heritage.
Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders and a Birmingham City supporter, is also believed to be involved in efforts to make the stadium design one of the most talked-about in football.
Brady Leaves as Birmingham City Chase Premier League Return
Before his departure, Brady had publicly backed Birmingham City’s ambition to secure promotion to the Premier League.
The club are currently top of the Championship heading into the final international break of the year, putting them in a strong position to pursue a return to English football’s top division.
However, the NFL legend has now ended his involvement before the club can complete that journey back to the Premier League.
