EU DIRTY RATS

Another shabby tale of boss swap at Brum

NEIL MOXLEY on how history could be repeating itself as St Andrew's prepares to welcome Wayne Rooney

IT wasn't the first time I've been called into the manager's office at Birmingham City.

Trevor Francis? Usually a moan about the owners. Steve Bruce? His opening shot was one of the biggest mouthfuls ever offloaded in my direction.

Alex McLeish? Gary Rowett? Lee Clark? Like speaking to mates down the pub.

This time it was the day before last month's trip to Watford and John Eustace asked for a word.

"Just to tell you that this is personal for me," he said. "I care about this. I live here. I know what this means. I'm desperate to make this a success."

Professional football managers don't talk like that. They all care and it's personal in as much as it affects them. The majority, though, are parachuted in and they aren't local.