Birmingham City have confirmed that manager Wayne Rooney has been sacked after just 15 matches at the helm.
The 38-year-old only took the reins at St Andrew's on October 11, replacing John Eustace in the dugout despite Birmingham having made a largely positive start to the season.
The Blues have since won just two of their 15 games under Rooney, though, losing nine and drawing four in that time as well.
That run of form has seen Birmingham plummet from the playoff positions to battling relegation, having been sixth when Rooney took over but now sitting 20th less than three months later.
Indeed, between Rooney's first and last game at the helm, Birmingham won fewer points, lost more games and conceded more goals than any other Championship side.
New Year's Day's 3-0 defeat at Leeds United proved to be Rooney's final match in charge, with the Manchester United legend leaving the club now six points clear of the relegation zone.
Club statement: Wayne Rooney
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) January 2, 2024
"We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St Andrew's," read a statement from CEO Garry Cook.
"Unfortunately, Wayne's time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction.
"The search for a successor begins with immediate effect and we will update supporters when we have further news."
Rooney also released a statement in the wake of the decision, saying: "I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club.
"Football is a results business - and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be.
"However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee changes that were needed.
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) January 2, 2024
"Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16.
"Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.
"Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions."
Rooney becomes Birmingham's second-shortest reigning permanent manager ever in terms of matches, after only Harry Redknapp's 13-game stint in 2017, while his win percentage of 13.3% is also the second-worst in the club's history after Gianfranco Zola's 8.3%.
First-team coach Carl Robinson has also been sacked, with professional development coach Steve Spooner taking charge of the senior side on an interim basis until a permanent successor is found.
Birmingham, who have taken just two points and conceded 12 goals in their last five outings, are next in action away to Hull City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
