Tom Wagner reveals ‘jaw dropping’ Birmingham City changes behind the scenes
Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner has been to visit St Andrew’s amid the work that has been continuing over the summer months
Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner has overseen a significant transformation of St Andrew’s, reflecting his commitment to revitalizing the club despite recent setbacks. The emotional impact of these changes was evident as Wagner took in the dramatic upgrades implemented over the summer. The club is set to host Rangers in a pre-season friendly, marking the first time supporters will return to St Andrew’s since the club’s relegation from the Championship in May, and doing so in memory of club legend Trevor Francis.
Despite the disappointment of relegation, Wagner and Knighthead Capital Management have accelerated their efforts to grow Birmingham City on all fronts. Wagner’s vision extends beyond the immediate challenges, aiming for long-term improvement and sustainability. This commitment has already yielded visible results, particularly in the renovation and enhancement of St Andrew’s, which had suffered from neglect under previous ownership.
Significant upgrades have been made, including the installation of new screens, the implementation of safe standing areas, and improvements to the club’s catering facilities. These changes are part of a broader effort to enhance the match-day experience for fans and modernize the club’s infrastructure. Wagner highlighted the impact of these improvements, noting that many areas of the stadium will be unrecognizable to returning fans.
“Many of the areas will be unrecognizable to the fans when they come back,” Wagner told BluesTV. “I had seen the renderings before work began and it was still jaw-dropping when I walked in. It was definitely a bit emotional to see what has been accomplished in such a short period of time. I am excited to see the reaction from supporters when they see it for the first time.”
Wagner also acknowledged the club’s challenges on the pitch, emphasizing the need for improvement. However, he remains optimistic about the future, confident that the club’s off-field accomplishments will translate into on-field success. He reiterated his commitment to pushing forward on all projects and strengthening the squad to ensure competitive performances in the coming season.
“We know what we did well and we know what we need to improve. Some of our off-field accomplishments exceeded our expectations. We all recognize that our performance on the pitch was far less than what we expect and will demand. We haven’t contemplated stepping back. We’re accelerating everything.
“We’re pushing forward on every project. We’re pushing forward to make our squad better this than last, despite relegation. I am confident that that will be the case and it’ll put us in a very strong position to compete this year and beyond. That’s the goal.”
Wagner’s vision for Birmingham City is clear: to build a club that can compete at the highest levels while providing a first-class experience for its supporters. The transformation of St Andrew’s is just the beginning of this ambitious project, and Wagner’s dedication offers hope for a bright future for the Blues.
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