Poignant ‘culture’ message sent as Birmingham City confirm Wayne Rooney appointment

Birmingham City have announced the arrival of Wayne Rooney as head coach on a three-and-a-half-year deal following the sudden departure of John Eustace at the start of the week. The Manchester United and England icon arrives following a mutual termination of his contract at Major League Soccer outfit DC United last weekend.

Blues CEO, Garry Cook, admitted on Tuesday there had been a misalignment with the leadership of the club, meaning the best call was to part company with Eustace. Rooney takes over sixth-placed Birmingham with the task of “implementing a winning mentality and a culture of ambition”.

Responding to Rooney’s arrival, co-owner and chairman, Tom Wagner, said: “Wayne is a born winner. We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the Club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey. His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City.

“Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he embarked on his coaching education whilst still a player at Manchester United. He and his staff have the full support of the Board and everyone at the Football Club.”

Meanwhile, Cook said: “We are incredibly excited by Wayne’s arrival. When the opportunity presents itself to appoint a manager who shares your ambition and is both a student and a great of the game, then you act. This is what we have done.

“We are confident that his appointment, supported by his hand-picked coaching staff, will culminate in a young, attack-minded team that will excite our fans. The timing of the appointment will allow Wayne to evaluate the playing staff and work with Craig Gardner on the squad’s recruitment needs ahead of the January and Summer transfer windows. This is a defining moment for the Football Club.”

Rooney, who is joined by former England international teammate Ashley Cole and ex-Man Utd colleague John O’Shea as assistant coaches, takes charge of Blues with immediate effect. Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth, who Rooney had as assistants at DC United, have joined as coaches. Rooney’s first game as manager is away at Middlesbrough on October 21.