12 October 2023 , 10:01
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Wayne Rooney has insisted his desire "to win" at Birmingham City was behind the decision to include the likes of John O'Shea and Ashley Cole in his coaching staff.
Given the Blues sit sixth in the Championship table, sacking John Eustace in order to bring in Rooney after two underwhelming years in charge at DC United has been widely perceived as a gamble. But the Manchester United icon has been bullish about his prospects since taking the role, quickly assembling his support staff.
Along with Cole and O'Shea, Carl Robinson - who served as Rooney's assistant in the US - follows him to the West Midlands. Pete Shuttleworth, who worked with Rooney at Derby County between 2020 and 2022 is also on board while Maik Taylor will continue his role as goalkeeping coach.
Asked about his main goal at St Andrew's, Rooney told the official Birmingham City YouTube channel: “To win, it’s as simple as that. Of course to win there’s a lot of factors that need to take place to do that. That’s why I’ve brought the coaching staff I have with me.
“John O’Shea, I played with him, I know his mentality. He’s played in the Championship before. Ashley Cole is a born winner, the medals he won throughout his career.
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"Pete Shuttleworth, he knows the club and has been with me in my two previous jobs and Karl Robinson who has managed Vancouver, managed out in Australia, but also a top coach who has been coaching with me at DC United."
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And Rooney, 37, believes the previous experiences of his coaching team, with Cole and O'Shea having won eight Premier League titles between them, will rub off on his new squad: "“The coaching staff will all help to develop the players, but help us win. That’s the important thing and that’s the reason I’ve come in.”
The arrival of the former England forward has promoted a fan backlash though, given the positive steps forward the club had previously taken under Eustace. And it's forced chief executive Garry Cook to defend the club's decision to part company with the previous head coach.
Speaking in a letter which was shared on the club's website, Cook wrote: "John had clear ambitions and goals for the season. Unfortunately, following a series of meetings over a number of months, it became clear that there was a misalignment with the leadership of the Club. When this happens, the best thing to do is to part company."