England football legend Wayne Rooney has expressed disappointment at NFL icon Tom Brady for questioning his work ethic in a behind-the-scenes documentary.
Brady, who became a minority owner of Birmingham City in 2023, appeared in the docuseries Built in Birmingham, which offered a glimpse into the club’s operations during Rooney’s brief 83-day tenure as manager. In one widely shared clip, Brady admitted being “a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic,” a reference to Rooney.
Speaking to the BBC on Thursday in his new role as a pundit, Rooney called the remark “very unfair,” noting that Brady’s only visit during his time at the club came on the eve of a match, when training sessions are typically lighter.
“I don’t think he really understood football at that time — maybe he does now,” Rooney said. “NFL is very different. They play for three months a year, and players also need rest. I think he was unfair in how he portrayed it.”
Despite the criticism, Rooney praised Brady’s achievements, calling him “one of the greatest athletes of all time,” and acknowledged Birmingham’s recent progress. The club, relegated during Rooney’s stint, secured promotion last season to return to the Championship — one tier below the Premier League.
Source: Agency