Tony Mowbray lifts lid on Ashley Cole, John O’Shea and Pete Shuttleworth's futures at Birmingham City

Tony Mowbray is open to keeping Wayne Rooney's backroom staff with him at Birmingham City, as long as they are keen to take on board the new mentality being instilled at the football club.

Blues' new boss has been joined by assistant Mark Venus, whom he has worked with throughout his entire management career, but the rest of the coaching team remains as it was. That includes Ashley Cole, John O'Shea and Pete Shuttleworth, who are still at the club despite most assuming they would depart alongside Rooney and Carl Robinson.

Mowbray wants to get to know the trio before making any rash decisions, emphasising he's not the type to arrive and tear things apart right away. "I come in with an open mind and I come in without any agenda," Mowbray said during his first Blues press conference.

"What I've got around me - the extras as I arrive - I have to suss out. I have already talked to all the coaching staff individually and got their views. I think these things will develop. What's important to me is we put the team at the centre. Every time I go to a new club I don't go in with an agenda - 'I'm getting rid of you, I'm sacking him, he's moving' - I don't do that. I have to find out about these people.

"Sometimes the people want to stay and grow, learning from you. Sometimes the people want to leave for whatever reason. I'm pretty open about it – let's see how it goes. People will be making their minds up of what they want to do. If we need to add some because people leave, that's what we'll do. If nobody leaves, it'll be fine and we'll get on with it," Mowbray explained.

As it stands, then, Cole, O'Shea and Shuttleworth will be sticking around as long as they are keen to. Mowbray's main focus is to create a sense of togetherness around the place, making sure everyone - from the squad to the coaches and non-playing staff - experiences a sense of unity. Mowbray hopes that mentality will form the core of Blues' success.