Wayne Rooney appointment 'stenches' as Tom Brady and Birmingham slaughtered for rolling dice
Wayne Rooney was hired by Tom Brady and the Birmingham board earlier this week
PA
Birmingham's decision to hire Wayne Rooney as manager 'stinks' and 'stenches', according to a former Premier League icon.
The Blues opted to sack John Eustace earlier this week, despite the club sitting sixth in the Championship table.
Rooney has experience of management before, having been in charge of Derby County and DC United in recent years.
There are, however, question marks over his credentials and whether he's the right man for the job.
John Eustace was sacked by the Birmingham board earlier this week
PA
And Chris Sutton, who joined Birmingham back in 2006, has now slammed his old club - insisting the appoint of Rooney is a substantial gamble.
"I have total respect for Wayne Rooney as a player," he told the Daily Mail.
"And actually, you know, what he did at Derby County as a manager, but it (this situation) stinks.
"The whole thing absolutely stinks. It stenches.
"It just does - the whole Eustace sacking and then, you know, that period of time before Rooney was announced."
Sutton then proceeded to take aim at Tom Brady and the rest of the Birmingham board, acknowledging their ambition while praising Eustace for the job he did during his time in the dugout.
"I mean, this was always bound to happen. This was the worst kept secret in football, wasn't it?" he added.
"When Eustace lost his job, we all knew who was going to take over. But there was that.
"I feel for John use just more than anybody else.
"Look, it's up to Birmingham and the owners, the route they want to go down. And essentially, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
"If Wayne Rooney does a really job, a good job and gets Birmingham back to the promised land, the Premier League, then you'll have to say it's the right decision.
"But based on where Birmingham were and the direction they were heading in under John Eustace..."
Football managers don't often get much time.
Rooney will need to make an instant impression at St Andrew's, with Middlesbrough first up a week on Saturday.
The 37-year-old will go up against old team-mate Michael Carrick when the teams step out in the Midlands.
While Sutton is critical of the decision to hire Rooney, he does admit the former England captain deserves a chance.
"This is a major gamble from Birmingham," said the 50-year-old.
"And they're probably looking at the commercial value, the sponsorships, that people will look at Birmingham in a different way.
"But essentially if you're a Birmingham City fan you just want to get promoted.
"And you want the best person in place, the best person for the job.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Wayne Rooney has managed in England before with Birmingham hiring former Derby manager
PA
"And it's questionable whether Wayne Rooney is the best person for the job.
"But you have to give him a chance, of course."
Rooney, for his part, is raring to go.
"It's a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can't wait to get started," he said earlier in the week."
He added: "I know what the expectations are and our job is to deliver."