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Dean Smith makes Wayne Rooney claim after Knighthead's brutal Birmingham City decision

Latest Birmingham City news from BirminghamLive includes Dean Smith and Karen Carney on the appointment of Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney applauds the Birmingham City fans after the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough
Wayne Rooney applauds the Birmingham City fans after the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough

Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith believes Wayne Rooney’s appointment is a clear sign of Birmingham City’s intent.


Blues were purchased by American investors Knighthead over the summer and they have made no secret of their desire to transform the club and the city of Birmingham. They stunned the football world two weeks ago by sacking John Eustace and replacing him with Manchester United and England icon Wayne Rooney.


The news has attracted media attention on an enormous scale and put Blues in the spotlight. Rooney has been set the challenge of leading Blues back into the Premier League after 12 years in the Championship.


Smith led Villa to promotion in 2019 after a takeover involving American billionaire Wes Edens. Edens and Egyptian Nassef Sawiris have since transformed Villa into European contenders with heavy investment on players and infrastructure.

READ: Wayne Rooney’s problems laid bare and the Birmingham City duo he must not ignore


READ: John Ruddy opens up on Eustace sacking and Rooney’s clear Birmingham City message

And Smith can see that Blues are trying to kickstart their own upward trajectory. He said: “I still keep in touch with the owners at Aston Villa and they have invested, and now at Birmingham City the Americans have come in and they will look to build the profile of the football club and you can see that by bringing in Wayne Rooney straight away.”

Smith was joined by former Blues Women star Karen Carney for Sky Sports’ coverage of Villa’s victory over West Ham on Sunday. “I was going to come on with my Rooney top,” Carney joked.

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“Villa and Blues need to push each other and I’m excited for the day Blues hopefully get back into the Premier League. That’s the aim, that’s why you bring in the calibre of people they are. It will take time for Wayne, I don’t think we are under any illusions about that, but hopefully!”

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