Wayne Rooney says he is "very disappointed" in Tom Brady's criticism of his work ethic, labelling the former NFL player's comments about him "unfair."
Brady became part of Birmingham's ownership group in August 2023, and the club appointed Rooney as head coach in October of that year.
However, in Amazon Prime's Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues, which was released on August 1, Brady voiced concern about Rooney, saying: "I'm a little worried about our head coach's work ethic," before adding: "I mean, I don't know, I don't have great instincts on that."
Rooney responded to the 48-year-old's comments, saying on a new podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show: "I saw that last week from Tom Brady. I think it was a very unfair comment.
"When I went into Birmingham, they were in a mess really. Hence, the fact that the players weren't really the players who could take the club forward.
"I think Tom came in once, which was the day before a game where the days are a little bit lighter anyway, and I don't think he really understood football that well. But what he does understand is, he's a hard worker, we know that."
"Football is not the NFL. NFL works for three months a year. Players do need rest as well, so I think it was very unfair, the way he's come out and portrayed that."
Rooney was dismissed from his role in January 2024 after just 15 matches in charge with the side 20th of 24 in the Championship. They were eventually relegated to League One at the end of the season, the first time in 29 years that the West Midlands had fallen into England's third tier.
In the summer of 2024, with Chris Davies now in charge of the side, Birmingham's new owners invested heavily. Consequently, the club broke the Football League record for most points in a season (111), finishing top of League One in 2024-25 and earning promotion back to the Championship.
"Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively," Rooney added. "He's one of the greatest, if not the greatest athlete of all time and Birmingham do look like they're getting it right now, which is good. I think what they have done is got the players out that they needed to get out."
Birmingham drew their opening Championship game of the season against Ipswich Town but a late winner from Jay Stansfield helped Davies' side beat Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
Birmingham are next in action against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday.