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“Future captain of England” – Wayne Rooney’s high expectations for brilliant Bellingham

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 08:17:41 +0000

After another astonishing performance, Jude Bellingham received more plaudits not least from former England great, Wayne Rooney.

The 20-year-old ran the show against Italy for the Three Lions and helped them qualify for Euro 2024, and the levels he reached in the match left many purring.

It follows on from a series of man-of-the-match showings for current club, Real Madrid.

Despite the pressure of wearing Zinedine Zidane’s old number five shirt, Bellingham has taken to life in the Spanish capital like a duck to water.

Rooney, now captain of Bellingham’s first club, Birmingham City, is in complete awe, however, he did sound a note of caution.

“He’s on such a good run of form and what’s important is that when [his form dips] — and it will dip at some point — we don’t kill him and we get behind him and stick with him,” he was quoted as saying by The Telegraph (subscription required).

“It happens to all players and it will happen to Jude. We’ve seen it with Marcus [Rashford] and Raheem [Sterling] as well.

“Jude has got the potential to be one of, if not the best, if he carries on the way he is going, so I think we really have to support him because in my eyes he’s the future captain of England. We need to protect him and really look at him as the future of England.”

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It’s pertinent to dwell on the fate that has befallen those players that have gone before the youngster.

One day they’re the best thing since sliced bread, the next they’re yesterday’s man. It’s the harsh realities of a footballer’s life, particularly when you consider that every aspect of a player’s character and skill set is now analysed to death by a multitude of broadcast media.

Bellingham, however, does appear to have an old head on your shoulders, and his trajectory from Birmingham to Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid doesn’t appear to have fazed him in the slightest.

He’ll certainly need to puff his chest out and walk tall when he starts to get the brickbats thrown at him rather than the plaudits.

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Video: Wayne Rooney admits to very surprising career choice before DC United opportunity

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 16:56:37 +0000

There’s very little that surprises you in football these days, but Wayne Rooney’s recent revelation may have done just that.

The new Birmingham City manager was facing the media ahead of the Championship fixture against Middlesbrough on Saturday, a match that brings him into direct competition with his old Man United team-mate, Michael Carrick.

After leaving Derby County, it seems that Rooney had a completely different career choice in mind before the DC United opportunity arose.

“I applied to do a degree in law,” he admitted to reporters. “[…] It’s something I’ve always been interested in.”

?? “I applied to do a degree in law. It’s something I’ve always been interested in.”

Wayne Rooney reveals he had a new venture in mind when he left Derby County.???? pic.twitter.com/MT3HIFGSyt

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 19, 2023

Pictures from Sky Sports via Football Daily

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Video: Eddie Hearn teases Wayne Rooney super fight at Old Trafford

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 20:57:48 +0000

Ever the showman, Eddie Hearn has teased a Wayne Rooney super fight at Old Trafford whilst speaking on the Stick to Football Podcast.

Sitting down with Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, Roy Keane and Ian Wright, Hearn noted how current Birmingham City manager, Rooney, still messages him after a big fight.

Coming from a family of boxers, Rooney evidently fancies his chances in this age of crossover boxing where amateurs in the guise of YouTubers and content creators appear to be King.

Hearn teased a Rooney vs Jake Paul fight at Old Trafford, and one can only imagine the viewing figures, ticket sales and pay per view numbers if he was able to pull it off.

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Video: “Nearest thing to Gazza” – Sam Allardyce heaps pressure on Jude Bellingham

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 16:27:16 +0000

There’s no doubt that Jude Bellingham is enjoying the best of season’s in 2023/24.

At just 20 years of age the Real Madrid and England ace has the world at his feet, and he appears to be thriving under the responsibility.

From Birmingham to Borussia Dortmund to Los Blancos, the youngster has taken each step in his stride so far, and that’s undoubtedly what’s led Sam Allardyce to compare him with Paul Gascoigne.

It’s perhaps pressure that the player doesn’t need, though it’s difficult to argue with any of what ‘Big Sam’ espoused.

?? “The one man difference is massive today. He might be the nearest thing to Gazza we have seen.”

Sam Allardyce on Jude Bellingham. ? pic.twitter.com/jfCu1yoy0s

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 18, 2023

Pictures courtesy of Sky Sports via Football Daily

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Wayne Rooney eyeing up former England teammate as first Birmingham City signing

Sean Walker — Sun, 15 Oct 2023 18:28:11 +0000

Wayne Rooney is reportedly considering making a move for his former international teammate Jack Butland in the upcoming January window.

The Manchester United legend started his new job as Birmingham City manager on Wednesday, replacing John Eustace as head coach.

Currently 6th in the Championship, Rooney will aim to restore the Blues back to the Premier League and reportedly has his eyes fixed on a former teammate to help get him there.

According to the Sun, Butland is at the top of his transfer shortlist.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper only joined Rangers in the summer after his Crystal Palace contract expired but Rooney is keen on bringing him back to Birmingham.

Jack Butland

38-year-old former Premier League defender gets first international call up

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 08:53:20 +0000

It’s not often that there’s a heartwarming story to be told in football circles, but for one former Premier League defender, all of his dreams appear to have come true at the ripe old age of 38.

At one stage in his long career, which began in 2003 at Luton Town and still isn’t over in 2023 at Cheltenham Town, Curtis Davies would almost certainly have had aspirations to play for the England national team.

Unfortunately for the former West Brom, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Hull City and Derby County centre-back, a call-up for the senior side never materialised, and three U21 caps were all that he had to show for his troubles.

The very last thing he could’ve expected was a call up in a season that’s expected to be one of his last in the game, but that’s exactly what’s happened.

It will be a proud moment for me to pull on the shirt of The Leone Stars and make my family in Sierra Leone proud but most of all my dad. He did everything in his power to give me the best chance to become a footballer, so I dedicate this all to him. ??

— ?????? ?????? (@TheCurtisDavies) October 9, 2023

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Davies announced that he will be playing for Sierra Leone, the country of his father’s birth, in their upcoming friendly matches.

He’s able to do so because of having never appeared for the Three Lions at senior level. A similar situation occurred with Ryan Giggs who represented England at schoolboy level before changing his allegiances to Wales.

Even if these next games are the sum total of his international career, it’s clear from Davies’ posts just how proud he is.

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Birmingham City fan slams “atrocious” Wayne Rooney appointment and hopes his appointment fails

Connor Holden — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 08:29:56 +0000

A Birmingham fan on talkSPORT has given his opinion on the sacking of John Eustace stating it is “disgusting” and “atrocious”.

This Birmingham City fan was bemused at the sacking of Eustace, who couldn’t believe the decision to sack him when he had them in a playoff position. He went on to make the point that “John is too nice to be in football in my opinion” as he said Eustace had been walked over.

Later in the discussion, this Birmingham fan goes on to say that to a degree he hopes Wayne Rooney fails, and that the decision backfires on the Birmingham board due to the treatment of Eustace.

“I hope Rooney fails & it backfires!” ??

“The board don’t deserve success when they treat people like that. It’s disgusting!”

This #BCFC fan is absolutely ENRAGED after John Eustace’s controversial sacking. ? pic.twitter.com/8Wa2BVlCFv

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 10, 2023

Eustace who enjoyed a 19 year playing career, played for the likes of Coventry, Stoke, Watford and Derby County, making 422 appearances in his career across all his clubs.

Since moving into management, the 43-year-old has managed Kidderminster Harriers, has been the assistant and caretaker manager at QPR, the assistant for the Republic of Ireland and of course managed Birmingham City.

After leading Birmingham City into the playoff places at the start of this season, with five wins, three draws and only three losses, Eustace will surely get some attention from other clubs and get back into management in the near future.

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Exclusive: Wayne Rooney closing in on new job + “wants to do important things” in management, according to expert

Mark Brus — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 07:55:22 +0000

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney is closing in on the Birmingham City manager’s job after leaving DC United, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive Daily Briefing column.

Rooney is one of the finest players of the last few decades after a glittering career for club and country, but it’s fair to say his coaching career hasn’t quite taken off in the same way just yet.

It will be interesting to see what Rooney can achieve at Birmingham, with Romano explaining that talks are now at an advanced stage, with just a few final details remaining before the former England captain is confirmed as the new man in charge at St Andrew’s.

Writing in today’s Daily Briefing piece, Romano explained that Rooney also still has big ambitions in management, even if he perhaps clearly still looks in need of more experience with top-level coaching.

Birmingham City sack John Eustace as Wayne Rooney looks to be the likely replacement

Connor Holden — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 10:42:45 +0000

Birmingham City have sacked John Eustace after 15 months in charge. The club have released a statement saying “a new First Team Manager will be announced in the coming days who will be responsible for creating an identity and clear no fear playing style that all Birmingham City teams will adopt and embrace.”

Eustace had managed five wins, three draws and only three losses in his start to the 2023/24 campaign, which was a massive improvement on last term where they finished 17th and only managed 14 wins the whole season. However the club statement emphasised “It is essential that the Board of Directors and the Football management are fully aligned on the importance of implementing a winning mentality and a culture of ambition across the entire Football Club.” They stated that with that in mind, the club had taken the decision to part ways with John Eustace.

This announcement comes only days after Wayne Rooney mutually agreed to part ways with DC United. It is believed that Rooney is the man being lined up to take over at Birmingham, who are currently sixth in the Championship with 18 points in the first 11 games of the campaign.

Birmingham vs QPR: Live stream, TV Channel, Start time and Team news

Connor Holden — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:11:39 +0000

Birmingham (7th in the Championship) take on QPR (19th in the Championship) on Friday, 22nd of September, at St. Andrew’s, at 20:00 (BST).

The last time these two sides faced, Birmingham managed to beat QPR 1-0 at Loftus Road. The only goal of the game was scored by Tahith Chong in the 3rd minute.

Birmingham lost their last Championship game, losing 2-1 to Preston. A goal to take the lead from Jay Stansfield for Birmingham wasn’t enough, as Preston got an own goal through Krystian Bielik and a goal from Milutin Osmajic to secure the win and three points for Preston.

QPR drew in their last Championship game, 1-1 with Swansea at Loftus Road. A goal from Josh Ginnelly for Swansea in the 7th minute, before a late equaliser from Lyndon Dykes for QPR in the 92nd minute. Swansea also had a man sent off in the 98th minute, with Oli Cooper receiving his marching orders.

How to watch Birmingham vs QPR

Date: Friday, September 22nd, 2023
Kickoff: 20:00 PM (BST)
TV Network: Sky Sports
Venue: St. Andrew’s

Team News:

Birmingham will be boosted with the returns of Ethan Laird, Siriki Dembele and Tyler Roberts. However they remain without Alfie Chang who is out with a knee injury.

QPR will be without Jack Colback who is still serving a suspension after his red card, Jimmy Dunne is also unavailable through injury for QPR.

Predicted XI:

Birmingham: Ruddy, Longelo, Long, Sanderson, Drameh, Bielik, Sunjic, Anderson, Miyoshi, Burke, Stansfield.

QPR: Begovic, Fox, Cook, Kaykay, Paal, Field, Dozzell, Smyth, Chair, Dykes, Willock.

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