Tom Brady's departure from Birmingham City may not have been as smooth as the club's farewell message suggested. According to a report published by Page Six on Wednesday, November 11, a source familiar with the situation said tensions had been building behind the scenes before Brady's exit.
Brady, 49, became a minority investor and chairman of the club's advisory board in 2023, shortly after retiring from the NFL. The source told Page Six that problems emerged after Birmingham hired Wayne Rooney as head coach, whose tenure lasted just 83 days, and that Brady questioned Rooney's work ethic.
This was not the first time Brady had voiced concerns about Rooney. In the 2025 documentary 'Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues,' Brady had already criticized Rooney's work ethic while describing the team's players as "lazy and entitled," according to Page Six.
The source claimed Brady initially attended games, promoted the team on social media and took part in publicity events before becoming less involved. "He completely checked out," the source said, per the report.
The insider also accused Brady of prioritizing other business opportunities over the club, alleging he would travel to New York City for a $180,000 Gucci runway appearance but would not attend Birmingham City matches. "They gave him equity and expected support," the source said.
Despite those claims, Birmingham City praised Brady in its November 9 departure announcement, expressing "sincere gratitude" for his involvement and support.
Brady, now a Fox Sports broadcaster, shared a farewell message in an Instagram Story that has since expired, thanking the club's players, coach Chris Davies and supporters. "Being part of Birmingham City Football Club the last three years has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life," he wrote, according to Page Six. He added, "I'll always be rooting for your success."
