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.
"I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City at such an exciting time. It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club," said the ex-Manchester United striker.
"We are fully aligned on what is expected. I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity. It's a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started.
"We have some exciting young players in the squad, and some who are still to break through into the first team, alongside a core of experienced senior professionals.
"I have a clear way that I want the team to play, and my coaching staff and I will work hard to implement it. We will create a winning culture here with an identity that gets Blues fans on their feet."
Rooney, 37, takes over at St Andrew's with the club sixth in the Sky Bet Championship.
He believes there is enormous potential at the club.
Rooney told BluesTV: "I think it’s a massive club and it’s clear what the owner’s ambitions are and how the club wants to move forward, and it’s a huge story.
"This could be one of the biggest stories in football, certainly over the next few years, and I want to be involved in that. I want to be part of trying to bring success back to this football club.
"I think the recruitment over the summer has been great. I think the players who’ve come in are exciting players who can make a difference. To come into a club with that array of players and quality is really exciting."
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 first 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 the midlanders finish nine points above the drop zone in the second tier amid off-field issues surrounding the ownership of the club.
Wagner said: "Wayne is a born winner. We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey.
"His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City.
"Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he embarked on his coaching education whilst still a player at Manchester United. He and his staff have the full support of the board and everyone at the football club."
Rooney was relegated with Derby in 2022, having battled a 21-point deduction for entering administration and breaching EFL accounting rules.
He quit soon after and joined DC United in July 2022, leaving last week after failing to reach the MLS play-offs.
Birmingham chief executive Garry Cook said: "We are incredibly excited by Wayne's arrival. When the opportunity presents itself to appoint a manager who shares your ambition and is both a student and a great of the game, then you act. This is what we have done.
"We are confident that his appointment, supported by his hand-picked coaching staff, will culminate in a young, attack-minded team that will excite our fans.
"The timing of the appointment will allow Wayne to evaluate the playing staff and work with Craig Gardner (sporting director) on the squad’s recruitment needs ahead of the January and Summer transfer windows. This is a defining moment for the club."
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live radio commentary on 2fm's Game On
