'He could benefit from me' - Birmingham City and West Ham hero sends Wayne Rooney message

Birmingham City legend Alan Curbishley has shared his sympathy for former Blues boss John Eustace, and believes that Wayne Rooney could do with someone like himself in the dugout at St Andrew's.

The 66-year-old former midfielder, who spent four years at Birmingham City and helped the side to Second Division promotion in 1980, has given his verdict on Rooney's start to life as the club's manager. The Manchester United hero was handed the job last month and has seen his side lose three and draw once since then.

The former Premier League striker's arrival came after the shock departure of John Eustace, who was sacked due to a "a misalignment with the leadership of the club", despite the side sitting 6th in the Championship. Birmingham City have now plummeted to 18th.

Curbishley, who spent seven years managing Charlton Athletic and two years in charge of West Ham, told Free Bets UK: "It's an interesting one as I have been to a couple of games. The first thing when you go to St. Andrews now that hits you is the stadium. Parts of it are not condemned but they can't use it.

"I think when the new owners and team came into the club, they were saying all the right things and they are doing the right things in terms of the structure because the team is playing to two sides or two and a bit sides and the atmosphere is not what it should be.

"So they've set about doing the stadium, which is great and the fans have been really grateful for that, but I think when they sacked John Eustace and brought in Wayne Rooney, it was like, 'woah hold on'. You could say John had done a really good job, they finished just outside the playoffs and were sniffing around it this year, so it was a bit of a shock. But it's not Wayne Rooney's fault, let's get this straight.

"I did feel sorry for John Eustace and I hope he gets another job soon or has one lined up, because he did a good job at Birmingham. However, you can't legislate for new owners. New owners went in at West Ham and decided they wanted to change Alan Pardew and they did.

"New Owners went into Birmingham, they've put their money in there and they've made the decision. I don't think it was overly favourable, because of what John had done. I think it's put Wayne under a bit of pressure. Perhaps it still has. He's got to win through now."

Curbishley went on to explain that Rooney, who ended an underwhelming tenure at D.C. United to take on the Birmingham City challenge, would have been prepared for somewhat of a frosty welcome - and that he could benefit from an old-timer such as himself.

The former Brighton star added: "When the fans realise a manager is going to get let go, they're ready for it. I think this was a bit of a shock - most of the Birmingham fans were expecting the new owners to start backing John Eustace.

"So, I thought Wayne would have understood that, 'Oh I'm coming into a club where I'm not being that welcomed...I've got to win them over'. And that's what he's got to do.

"I don't know who his staff is, but I'm saying he could benefit from someone like me - I'm not advocating myself - but someone around him who's senior that's been through it and that saying, 'what you're doing on the pitch is good and that will see you through, don't start worrying about things you can't do anything about'."