Birmingham ‘interested in Jesse Marsch talks’ after Wayne Rooney firing as Tom Brady-owned club draw up shortlist of potential replacements

Jesse Marsch is reportedly attracting interest from Birmingham City as the English soccer club searches for a new manager after the firing of Wayne Rooney. 

Rooney has fallen victim to the axe after just 15 games in charge of Birmingham, the second-division team who are co-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady.

During that time, the Manchester United and England great only racked up two victories, meaning Brady and Co made the decision to go their separate ways on Tuesday.

And according to Sky Sports, Marsch is on Birmingham’s shortlist of potential replacements for Rooney as they begin the hunt for their next manager.

The former New York Red Bulls coach – who recently spent a year in charge of then-Premier League team Leeds United – is said to be joined on that shortlist by three other leading candidates.

Jesse Marsch is reportedly in the running to replace Wayne Rooney as Birmingham manager

Rooney has been fired by Birmingham after winning just two of his 15 games in charge

Tom Brady and Co made the decision to part company with the Manchester United legend

England Under-21 coach Lee Carsley is also in the running for the job, as are recently-fired Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper and Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray.

Birmingham are reportedly seeking talks with all three candidates, although Cooper is understood to be a long shot given he is keen to take another job in the Premier League next.

Marsch has been out of work since being fired by Leeds in February of last year, just 12 months into his three-year contract at Elland Road.

After guiding them to Premier League safety just three months into his new post on the final day of the 2021-22 season, the American failed to push on in his first full campaign at the helm in 2022-23, with Leeds deciding to part ways while down in 17th place.

Prior to his first job in English soccer Marsch enjoyed spells with RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and Montreal Impact as well as the Red Bulls.

Following a three-and-a-half-year spell with the latter, he enjoyed the most successful period of his managerial career in Austria with Salzburg, whom he guided to a league and cup double in each of his two seasons at Red Bull Arena.

Rooney has broken his silence after being fired by Birmingham just 13 weeks into his tenure, claiming he wasn’t given enough time to make an impact at the club.

In a statement, he said: ‘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.

Reports suggest the English club are interested in talks with Marsch, who spent a year in charge of then-Premier League team Leeds United from 2022-23

Rooney claims he was not given enough time to make his mark after being fired by Birmingham

‘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 the changes that were needed.

‘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.’