Birmingham City manager latest: Respected Sky Sports pundit identifies the major issue that awaits Wayne Rooney

Sky Sports pundit Stephen Warnock believes Wayne Rooney’s name alone might not be enough to convince the Birmingham City players he’s the right man for the job.

The 37-year-old is expected to replace John Eustace following the shock sacking of the Blues head coach on Monday. Birmingham’s board stated they wanted to play ‘no-fear football’ and Rooney has had his name linked to St Andrew’s for the last month.

Eustace at the time of his sacking, had Birmingham in sixth, having endured a turbulent 15-months in charge of the Midlands club. He guided the club to a 3-1 win over West Brom on Friday, in what was to be his last game, and he cut an emotional figure.

Warnock said on Sky Sports News: “John Eustace has got the changing room behind him because you don’t go to sixth in the league and start winning football games, you don’t stay within the league, if you do not believe in that manager.

“Whoever comes in now, will have to be better, a better manager, better training techniques. It’s doable but you’re going to have to convince the players to buy in to you straight away.

Rooney is a big name amongst the wider football public, given his 120-caps for The Three Lions, and his illustrious career with Manchester United.

As a player, he won five league titles, and also won two European honours. As a manager however, he has only managed Derby County during a rough patch, as well as DC United of whom he has failed to lead to the play-offs since his appointment last July.

Warnock said: “It’s a big ask, and without being disrespectful, a name isn’t enough.

“You can’t just turn up and say I am Wayne Rooney, you have to turn up and say this is what else I am bringing. I’m bringing good training sessions, ideas in, but he’s got a big mountain to climb straight away within those first few days.”