Birmingham City are the Championship club dominating the football headlines right now after their appointment of Wayne Rooney.
John Eustace was relieved of his duties despite Blues being in sixth after beating West Brom 3-1 in the West Midlands Derby last Friday. Two days later, Wayne Rooney was announced and the press conference room was packed with media from all across England, because of the stature the Manchester United legend has in the game.
He, and the club CEO Gary Cook spoke well and outlined their ambitions for the club at the unveiling of his appointment. Rooney has already got to work and has taken his first training session after meeting the players who haven't been chosen for international duty.
January transfer plans were brought up, and whilst Rooney will be backed, he will have to work alongside technical director Craig Gardner to work within the confines of Financial Fair Play. Gardner was the one who identified players to bring the club into the summer and Rooney will have to work with them, but he will also have his own transfer targets in mind, and has been linked with a quadruple swoop of his former team Derby County.
How about the players still at St Andrew's however? Some players have less than 12 months on their contract, and now are starting on a blank slate under Rooney, who will play a big role as to whether their contracts are extended or not.
Flick through the pictures to see which players have an uncertain future at the club, and when they signed their respective deals. Is extending contracts something you think is an important topic right now, or would you like to see them prove their worth before making a decision?
1. Emmanuel Aiwu
He only made his Championship debut earlier this month, and is someone that could get a new lease of life under Wayne Rooney. Signed on loan until the end of the season, but option-to-buy. | Getty Images Photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
2. Cody Drameh
Joined from Championship rivals Leeds United. His contract with the Whites expires next summer, and so he could be someone the club looks to sign on a permanent basis. | Getty Images Photo: Cameron Howard/Getty Images)
3. Oliver Burke
Signed on a season-long loan from Werder Bremen and that will expire in the summer. Burke is under contract until the summer of 2025 at the German club. | Getty Images Photo: y Cameron Howard/Getty Images)
4. Scott Hogan
Signed a four-year contract when he joined in September 2020 on a permanent deal. He’s been in-and-out of the team but is one of only a few contracted strikers. Goals need to come however. | Getty Images Photo: Cameron Howard/Getty Images)