John O'Shea outlines ambition to become a manager

“Hopefully the future sees me taking a role of head coach,” said the Waterford native.

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023 - 14:49

John Fallon

Ireland centurion John O’Shea has outlined his ambition to become a manager – once he’s finished learning from the likes of Wayne Rooney.

The pair of former Manchester United teammates have reunited at Birmingham City, the third assistant job in the Championship O’Shea has taken on since retiring four years ago.

He’s complemented that experience with international exposure, initially in a similar capacity for Ireland’s Under-21 before spending the last nine months of Stephen Kenny’s senior reign on his backroom staff.

The 42-year-old doesn’t appear to be in the mix for the current Ireland vacancy created by Kenny’s recent departure but does foresee himself progressing to a standalone role.

O’Shea has seen both side of the managerial spectrum – switching from a club where he’d played under one boss to Sunderland in 2011 where nine, plus two caretakers, were barking out the orders over nine years.

He’s been picky about accepting offers, revealing he previously rejected an offer from Kenny to step up until this year.

That campaign ended disappointingly, not only losing to France and Netherlands but twice to lower seeds Greece too.

“Hopefully the future sees me taking a role of head coach,” the Waterford native said in Dublin at the weekend, when he was guest of honour at the PFAI Ireland awards.

“I hope that’s where it leads me in the future but I’m very happy at the minute.

“I remember talking to Stephen about taking my time, not rushing into something and ensure I worked with people and learned from them.

"Fingers crossed, the timing is right and I take a job somewhere. That’ll be key. If it happens, it happens but if not, C’est La Vie. Hopefully it does some day.

“When I spoke to Stephen a few years ago, I was with the Under-21s and the timing to step up to the seniors didn’t feel right.

“He asked me again not long ago and it felt right. I was aware of the teams we had to play from the draw but I was fully committed to knowing I was ready to help the squad.”

Unlike O’Shea, Rooney ventured straight into managerial jobs, taking the plunge at crisis-hit Derby County before going stateside with DC United.

Birmingham, through their host of owners including American Football legend Tom Brady, immediately swooped for Rooney and will keep faith despite his winless run of six matches.

“It’s very surprising to see Wayne change from his persona on the pitch to how different he is in the dressing room with the players,” O’Shea said about the former England and United captain.

“We have plenty of experience with Karl Robinson and Ashley Cole involved too. The relationship I have with Wayne has been built over a good few years.

"I’m pleasantly surprised how much he’s changed because to last as a manager he’s got so much detail to give.

"He’s controlling that passion and it’s great to see the details he’s giving to the players.”