Former Man Utd cult hero set to reunite with Rooney at Birmingham City

10 October 2023 , 20:17

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Wayne Rooney is set to turn to two familiar names as he prepares to bring in his own coaching staff at Birmingham City (Image: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney is expected to be joined by former Manchester United teammate John O'Shea when he takes over the reigns at Birmingham City.

The ex-England captain is the overwhelming favourite to take over from John Eustace at St. Andrew's after announcing his departure from D.C. United. The surprise parting of ways with Eustace came after the Blues had made a strong start to the Championship season.

The Old Trafford fan favourite will be eager to quickly win over any sceptics over his appointment if he is named, with his predecessor having left the club in sixth place. To hit the ground running in the Second City, he will be turning to two familiar faces - including John O'Shea, according to the BBC.

The former Premier League stalwart has gained extensive coaching experience following his successful playing days with United and Sunderland. Rooney's old club colleague is currently an assistant with the Republic of Ireland and also served under Alex Neil at Stoke last term.

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Rooney will also seek to add former England teammate Ashley Cole to his coaching staff if he is to take over from Eustace. The former international mainstays will reunite in Brum, with Cole boasting a varied CV since calling time on his playing career back in 2019.

After hanging up his boots at Derby County, he soon returned to Pride Park as a coach before going on to work with the England U-21s. He has also been a faithful ally to Frank Lampard during his coaching career, serving under him at both Chelsea and Everton more recently.

Now, he will be tasked with assisting another former international teammate in Rooney at Birmingham, with the former United star set for a return to England. The one-time Everton boy wonder previously managed at Derby County in the Championship and experienced a mixed spell with the Rams.

John O'Shea and Wayne Rooney will reunited at Birmingham City after previously playing together at Manchester United (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

He masterminded a great escape of sorts, keeping them up after taking the job with the club rooted to the bottom of the table in 2020-21. Derby would be relegated the next season, however, after spending nearly the whole season under administrative measures.

Following that, he would make the move stateside to resume his coaching career at MLS outfit D.C. United in July 2022. He would depart after just over a year in the hotseat, though, after failing to lead the team to the playoffs for a second season running.

Rooney addressed the media Rooney after being relieved of his duties in the US, saying: "It's the right time. I've done everything I can to get this club into the playoffs. It's not a single thing that's happened. It's about timing. What lies ahead, I don't know. I've seen a lot of reports in the media. I'm going back with nothing lined up. I want to say on record to everyone involved in the club. Staff, players: I'm grateful."

Tom Beattie