Friday briefing: Rooney hits back at Brady and Newcastle chase Ramsey

Wayne Rooney hit back at NFL star Tom Brady after his public criticism of the former England international’s work ethic at Birmingham.

There has been plenty of movement in the transfer window with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest lining up moves.

Rooney hits back

Wayne Rooney claims Birmingham minority owner Tom Brady’s criticism of him during his spell as the club’s manager was “very unfair”.

Rooney, sacked by Birmingham in January 2024 after less than three months in charge, said he was “really disappointed with the comment” on his new podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, which launches on Friday.

NFL great Brady, who became a minority shareholder at Birmingham in August 2023, said he was “a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic” during a documentary after visiting Blues’ training ground the following November.

Speaking via his new show on the BBC, the ex-Everton and Manchester United striker said: “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.”

Rooney added: “Football is not NFL – NFL works for three months a year. Players do need rest as well, so I think he’s very unfair, the way he’s come out and portrayed that.”

Men on the move

Newcastle have agreed a fee for Aston Villa winger Jacob Ramsey.
The 24-year-old is due to travel to the north east for a medical after a deal in the region of £40million was agreed, the PA news agency understands.

The prospective sale of Ramsey, who has made 167 appearances at Villa Park, will represent pure profit for Villa, who are walking a UEFA financial fair play and PSR tightrope and need to sell.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have agreed a £30million fee for Manchester City’s James McAtee and a club-record £37m deal for Ipswich forward Omari Hutchinson.

Kick It Out want action

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out says players may think twice about taking penalties in future after Tottenham’s Mathys Tel received online racist abuse.

France Under-21 international Tel is the latest player to be targeted on social media after he missed a spot kick in Wednesday night’s UEFA Super League penalty shoot-out defeat to Paris St Germain.

A Kick It Out statement read: “If you’re a black player, it would be totally understandable to think, ‘Why would I want to take a penalty?’ That’s the state of the game right now, and the sad fact is, it’s nothing new.

“Players are routinely targeted with racism online and want action; we want action, too. Accountability from offenders and social media companies is a baseline, but it’s not being met.”

What’s on today

The Premier League returns with champions Liverpool kicking off the new campaign against Bournemouth.

It is sure to be an emotional night at Anfield as the club pay tribute to Diogo Jota following the forward’s tragic death in the summer.

A host of managers will face the media, with Pep Guardiola, Ruben Amorim, Thomas Frank and Enzo Maresca among those speaking.