Updated Wayne Rooney appointed Birmingham City manager with John O'Shea expected to join staff

Birmingham have announced the appointment of Wayne Rooney as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract, with current Republic of Ireland assistant coach John O'Shea joining his backroom staff.

Former England captain Rooney will replace Stephen Kenny's ex-Ireland assistant John Eustace at St Andrew's after leaving DC United last week.

Rooney, who was Derby boss between November 2020 and June 2022, will be joined by Ashley Cole and his former Manchester United team-mate O'Shea as part of his backroom staff.

O'Shea is likely to combine his roles with Ireland and Birmingham, with Boys in Green assistant manager Keith Andrews clarifying that the 118-time Ireland cap was completely committed to the role with the national team.

Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth, who both worked with Rooney at DC United, are also moving to St Andrew's.

US-based Shelby Companies Limited completed a takeover of Birmingham in July and owner Tom Wagner has been reportedly seeking to make a change of management, with Rooney's name linked with the club in September.

In August seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady became a minority owner in the club.

Eustace was sacked despite guiding Birmingham to sixth place in the Championship this season.

He replaced Lee Bowyer in July 2022 and helped thre midlanders finish nine points above the drop zone in the second tier amid off-field issues surrounding the ownership of the club.

The former Coventry and Watford midfielder was axed on Monday and chief executive Garry Cook vowed to take Blues to the next level.

He said: "The owners and board members are ambitious. They are driven to help make Birmingham City a football powerhouse. It will not happen overnight. It is a step-by-step approach.

"We are well