"From day one" - Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney addresses relationship with Birmingham City supporters | OneFootball

The Plymouth Argyle boss reflects on a troubled tenure at St Andrew's in the previous campaign

Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney has opened up on his strained relationship with the Birmingham City fans during his ill-fated spell at the club.

The Argyle manager endured a wretched time at St Andrew’s in the previous campaign, as he secured just two victories in his 15 matches in charge in the West Midlands.

The ex-England international was thrown to the wolves during his time with the Blues, with chairman Tom Wagner axing John Eustace despite a promising start to the campaign, with Rooney his successor.

The former Derby County boss believes that the feeling towards him was also felt by his players, with City eventually ending up relegated to the third tier for the first time in 30 years after his departure.

Wayne Rooney opens up on relationship with Birmingham City fanbase

It’s safe to say that Rooney won’t look back fondly on his time at St Andrew’s, with things going from bad to worse during his time at the club, and his tenure lasting less than three months.

Having been instated in October, the 38-year-old lost four of his first five matches in charge of the Blues, with a solitary point coming in a 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town, before his first win came over Sheffield Wednesday in his sixth match in charge.

Another victory against Cardiff City in the buildup to Christmas was as good as it got during his time in the Midlands, with an entertaining 3-3 draw against his current employers also thrown in there for good measure.

Having picked up just ten points from 15 matches in charge, Rooney was given the axe after a New Year’s Day defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road, and looking back, the Argyle boss believes things were never quite right at the club.

Speaking at an Argyle fans event during their pre-season tour in Marbella, Rooney said (via Argyle Life/Green & White Podcast): “At Birmingham, it didn’t feel right from day one to be honest with you. The fans never took to me for whatever reason.

“I’ve always been an open person and speaking my mind on whatever it is, but for whatever reason from day one the fans never took to me, and I think the players could feel that as well. I make no excuses, that didn’t work out.”

Wayne Rooney optimistic ahead of Plymouth Argyle reign

On the flip side of that, Rooney has hailed everyone at Plymouth Argyle for the welcome he has received since joining the club in May.

The Greens bided their time in appointing a successor to the much-maligned Ian Foster, with director of football Neil Dewsnip overtaking first-team matters for the final six matches of the season, alongside the ever-dependable Kevin Nancekivell.

The Pilgrims were rocked by Steven Schumacher’s departure to Stoke City in the previous campaign, with their fortunes turning around during the second-half of the season, as they successfully fought to keep themselves in the second tier with a victory on the final day.

And with a fresh season comes a fresh start, and Rooney is looking forward to what lies ahead at Home Park, as the 24/25 campaign draws ever nearer.

He continued: “But from the moment I was speaking to Simon [Hallett, owner], to Andrew [Parkinson, CEO], and to Neil [Dewsnip, director of football], it felt like the right fit.

“I was excited by it, I wanted to get back into football. Football is my passion, it’s what I love, and what I love to do. I want to get back into it, and Argyle just felt like the right fit.

“When I joined and had conversations with the staff, it felt right, and to tell you the truth - as I said to my wife - this is the best feeling I’ve had when I’ve joined a football club, and that includes Derby County and Birmingham.

“It feels right. I’m ready and refreshed to get going and looking forward to the season, and I’m sure we’ll enjoy the ride. But most importantly, we continue to move the club forward.”