STEVE Cooper is the early favourite to replace Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City after the former England and Manchester United striker's nightmare stint at St Andrew's was brought to an end.

Defeat at Middlesbrough back in October was the start of a torturous tenure for Rooney, who oversaw just two wins in his 15 games in charge as Birmingham slumped from sixth to 20th in the Championship table.

Supporters called for Rooney’s removal as the side slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Leeds on New Year’s Day - and Birmingham took action on Tuesday morning.

A club statement read: “Birmingham City has today parted company with manager Wayne Rooney and first-team coach Carl Robinson.

“Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset. Therefore, the board feels that a change in management is in the best interests of the football club.”

Chief executive Garry Cook said: “We are committed to doing what is necessary to bring success to St Andrew’s.

“Unfortunately, Wayne’s time with us did not go as planned and we have decided to move in a different direction.

“The search for a successor begins with immediate effect and we will update supporters when we have further news.”

READ MORE:

Former Nottingham Forest manager Cooper is the early favourite with the bookies to replace Rooney, ahead of Jesse Marsch and Scott Parker in the running. Former Middlesbrough and Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is 8/1.

Birmingham will likely have a new permanent manager in place before Boro visit St Andrew's at the end of this month.

Blues’ new ownership group brought in Rooney at the expense of popular former boss John Eustace, who had lifted the club from relegation trouble during a 15-month spell.

The change in thinking had come after the takeover by a company owned by American businessman Tom Wagner was completed last summer.

Rooney said he did not feel he was given long enough by the club.

“Football is a results business – and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be,” read a statement.

“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.”