Wayne Rooney said it would "take some time to get over this setback" after being fired as manager of Birmingham City on Tuesday after a terrible tenure.
The 38-year-old former Manchester United and England player was appointed in October but has only managed two wins in 15 games, with Monday's 3-0 thrashing by Leeds, their ninth defeat under him, being the final straw.
Birmingham, who boast NFL icon Tom Brady as a minority shareholder, are fighting relegation, having dropped to 20th from sixth since Rooney took charge.
"Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were made clear at the outset," read a statement from the club.
"Therefore, the board feels that a change in management is in the football club's best interests,"he added.
Rooney took over for John Eustace, fired shortly after leading Birmingham to two consecutive wins that advanced them into the play-offs.
"Football is a results business -- and I recognize they have not been at the level I wanted them to be," said Rooney
"However, time is the most valuable commodity a manager requires, and I do not believe 13 weeks was adequate to oversee the necessary changes."
"It will take some time for me to recover from this setback."
"I've been involved in professional football, either as a player or as a manager, since I was 16 years old."
"Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager."
Rooney's turbulent coaching career starkly contrasts his illustrious playing career.
He was praised for doing a good job in difficult circumstances at Derby.
After only four months in the post, he saved them from relegation in 2021 by a single point.
However, in his first full season in charge (2021/22), the club was docked 21 points for being in administration and English Football League violations, as well as being forbidden from trading in the transfer market.
Despite putting up a good fight, they were demoted to League One, and Rooney left in June 2022, while the club was still in administration.
In July 2022, he will join the MLS club DC United.
