Birmingham City manager latest: The ex-England and Manchester United team-mates Wayne Rooney will turn to for assistance

Wayne Rooney already has two backroom staff members lined up to assist him at Birmingham City.

According to BBC 5 Live, the former Manchester United and England international will turn to two of his ex-team-mates upon his expected St Andrew’s appointment. And just like Rooney, they boast an array of major honours from their playing careers.

Former Chelsea and Three Lions left-back Ashley Cole will be reunited with the 37-year-old at the Blues. Ex-Man Utd and Republic of Ireland centre-back John O’Shea will also be called upon to help Rooney achieve the objective of instilling a ‘winning mentality and a culture of ambition’ as outlined by the club in the statement that announced John Eustace’s sacking on Monday morning.

Eustace, who has been in charge at St Andrews since July 2022, leaves Birmingham sixth in the Championship table. His last game in charge was Friday night’s 3-1 home win over rivals West Brom.

Both Cole and O’Shea enjoyed decorated careers as players and boost two Champions League, 12 Premier League and eight FA Cup winners’ medals between them. They’ve also been forging their own coaching paths following their playing retirements, with Cole working with Derby, the Chelsea Academy and England under-21s. His last position was with Everton, with the 42-year-old departing Goodison following Frank Lampar’ds sacking in January.

O’Shea, 42, is currently Stephen Kenny’s assistant with the Republic of Ireland national team - a role he’s been in since February. Prior to that, the 118-times capped Eire defender has enjoyed coaching roles with Ireland’s under-21s, Stoke and Reading, where he finished his career.

Rooney’s Birmingham appointed is expected to be confirmed in the coming days, He left his job with MLS side DC United over the weekend claiming he had taken the club as far as he could.