Wayne Rooney reveals he has spoken with Birmingham co-owner Tom Brady after being appointed Blues’ manager and admits it is ‘important the team’s players see the American’s involvement in the club’

• Wayne Rooney has said he has spoken with Birmingham co-owner Tom Brady 
• The ex-Derby County manager was appointed as the Blues’ boss on Wednesday
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Wayne Rooney has revealed that he has spoken to Birmingham City’s co-owner Tom Brady after he was confirmed as the club’s new manager on Wednesday. 

The 37-year-old has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal to take charge of the Championship side and has been speaking on Thursday for the first time since his appointment was announced. 

He is the latest influential sports star to become affiliated with the midlands outfit after the seven-time Super Bowl winner, Brady, confirmed his investment in the English second tier side.  

‘I have spoken to Tom,’ Rooney said in a press conference. ‘He is very ambitious to move this club forward. 

‘It’s great to have him here, it’s important for the players to see Tom Brady have an involvement. It’s very clear that Tom is fully involved in the club.’ 

Wayne Rooney (pictured) has unveiled that he has spoken to Birmingham City co-owner Tom Brady following his appointment as the new Blues’ boss

Brady became a co-owner at the football club earlier this year, and Rooney said that it was ‘important for the players to see the NFL superstar’s involvement in the club’ 

Rooney appeared in his first press conference since he was unveiled as the new Birmingham boss 

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The former Everton and Manchester United striker, who scored 208 Premier League goals across 491 appearances for both teams, will replace John Eustace in the dugout at St Andrew’s. 

Birmingham released a 789-word statement following his sacking, claiming that Eustace’s goals did not align with those of the club’s after helping the team win five games from their opening 11 fixtures. 

In that statement, CEO Garry Cook, who was sat alongside Rooney during Thursday’s press conference said that the side’s owners and ‘are driven to making Birmingham a football powerhouse’.   

And with two of the most well-known athletes in the world at the football club, Cook reaffirmed those statements, adding that he believes the infrastructure around the organisation is now set up to help the former England striker succeed as the club’s new manager.  

‘Ambition is always determined by how much you’re willing to put on the table, right?,’ Cook said during the press conference.

‘Unfortunately, there are rules and regulations that prevent some of that and they’re all well documented aren’t they? 

‘Every league in the world is confronting the same challenge. What I think we’ve done is built an organisation that is prepared to support the manager. 

‘So, you know, be very, very astute in our recruitment process but also at the same time ensure that we’re building the infrastructure to support the team. 

Birmimhgam CEO Garry Cook (pictured) also added that Rooney would take leadership in deciding what the team will look like

Rooney announced he would be stepping down as DC United boss last weekend 

‘The facilities to support the team. And as you’ve seen, the owners are investing millions in that area. 

‘When it comes to the players and the team that is clearly going to be Wayne and Craig Gardner who are going to be determining what that should look like. But you have to grow your revenues and that is a pre-emptive issue in football.

‘If you don’t grow your revenues then you’re limiting your capabilities to succeed.’

Rooney’s first game in charge for Birmingham will come this Saturday when the side will take on Middlesbrough in the Championship. 

It comes a week after he confirmed he would be leaving DC United manager following a 2-0 victory against New York City last weekend. 

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