O'Shea to combine Ireland duties with role in Rooney's Birmingham staff

Republic of Ireland assistant coach John O'Shea has been named in new Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney's backroom staff and will combine the roles.

Birmingham have confirmed Manchester United legend Rooney as their new manager.

Rooney and O'Shea were teammates at Old Trafford for seven years.

Together they won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and Club World Cup, among other honours.

Birmingham have new American owners, who decided to sack John Eustace in favour of Rooney. Eustace briefly held the Ireland role that O'Shea now holds.

He won't be the first of Stephen Kenny's coaches to double job, as Anthony Barry was on Chelsea's backroom team and Kenny's for a time.

Rooney, who has previously managed Derby County and DC United, will also be joined by former Chelsea and Arsenal star Ashley Cole. Cole will work on the backroom team along with O'Shea.

Birmingham City Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of @WayneRooney as Manager, agreeing terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Welcome to Blues, Wayne!