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Wayne Rooney faced an uncomfortable moment after arriving at Birmingham’s training ground when a security guard failed to recognize him.
The former England and Manchester United captain replaces John Eustace at St Andrews and is eager to make his mark.
The Blues’ decision to appoint Rooney is controversial, especially as Eustace led the club to sixth place in the Championship table.
However, he hopes the risk will pay off.
Wayne Rooney has been appointed as Birmingham manager
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And Rooney has now revealed the awkward moment with a Birmingham security guard when the officer asked him who he was.
“I don’t think he knew who it was!” He joked.
Arriving at 7am for kick-off, the 37-year-old Rooney was eager to make his mark.
He is keen to set high standards during his tenure at St Andrews and has struggled to sleep since returning to England from America.
“I couldn’t sleep! But I think it’s important as a manager that you set the example for the employees,” he said.
“You want to be in, you want to be there, ready. A lot of preparation also has to be done for the job.
“It’s part of the role and it’s something I’ve always done – arrive early and make sure the preparation is right.”
However, in another world, Rooney would be managing in Saudi Arabia.
Ex-Premier League bosses such as Steven Gerrard, Nuno Espirito Santo and Slaven Bilic currently lead teams in the Middle East.
The Saudis spent big on both players and managers in the summer to improve their league.
Rooney has revealed that he was offered the chance to join them by an unnamed club.
However, he declined, and instead aspired to make a reputation for himself in English football.
“It’s no disrespect to any manager who’s been there,” he said.
“But for me, I felt that my development, my path was a different way.
“It’s great for me to be back in English football first of all. This is what I wanted to do.
“In the last four to six weeks I have had the opportunity to do the same at other clubs.
“But I think after talking to Birmingham and seeing the ambitions of the club, where they want to go, where they want to be, it has excited me.
“I want to be successful. It’s clear this club wants to be successful and what we talked about was really very similar.
“It’s an exciting time and I’m glad to be a part of it.
“I’m sure I’ll have some sleepless nights. That’s part of the job. Maybe that’s why I’ve aged almost ten years in the last two years.”
latest developments:
Wayne Rooney will reunite with Michael Carrick when Birmingham take on Middlesbrough
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Rooney’s first match as Birmingham boss comes against Middlesbrough on Saturday next week.
And that means he will be reunited with former United teammate Michael Carrick.
Both won five Premier League titles while playing at Old Trafford, as well as the Champions League in 2008.
