The Blues use Kieran McKenna blueprint as an example of how success can be achieved next season
Chris Davies has taken on the challenge of leading Birmingham City back to prominence after being appointed as the club’s new manager earlier this month. This marks his first role as a first-team manager at St Andrew’s, following his tenure as assistant to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur last season, along with administrative positions at Leicester City and Swansea City.
Some may view the 39-year-old’s appointment as risky, given Birmingham City’s recent relegation to the third tier. However, with aspirations of a swift return to the Championship next season, the club aims to emulate Ipswich Town’s path to success under Kieran McKenna.
McKenna faced a similar situation when he began managing Ipswich Town in December 2021. Despite initial challenges, the Northern Irishman, formerly part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff at Manchester United, eventually guided Ipswich to consecutive promotions, putting them on the brink of their first Premier League campaign in over two decades.
Chris Davies and Birmingham City could draw valuable lessons from Kieran McKenna’s success story at Ipswich Town. While McKenna’s journey didn’t immediately ignite, his leadership eventually transformed the club’s fortunes, highlighting the impact that a young, talented manager can have on a team with ambitious goals.
Facing another season in the third tier heading into the summer of 2022 must have been difficult for a club with such high aspirations. However, once the new manager had a full pre-season and was backed to bring in new signings, the team began to see positive results in the following campaign.
Key additions like Marcus Harness and Leif Davis arrived in the summer, followed by Nathan Broadhead, Massimo Luongo, and Harry Clarke in January 2023. This support allowed Kieran McKenna to focus on leading his team towards promotion, marking a turning point for both the club and the manager.
Birmingham City had experienced managerial instability with four changes in the previous season alone. This lack of continuity did not help their efforts to return to the second tier promptly. The abrupt end to John Eustace’s tenure after just 11 league matches in the 2023/24 season led to Wayne Rooney’s brief and unsuccessful stint. Tony Mowbray’s appointment aimed to stabilize the situation, but health issues kept him away from the role, leaving Gary Rowett to oversee the season’s conclusion without a fairytale finish.
After such a turbulent year, stability is now crucial for everyone involved at the club. If Chris Davies receives the necessary support in his early days as manager, the decision to appoint an untested leader could ultimately prove to be a stroke of genius in the future.
| Kieran McKenna Ipswich Town managerial record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 131 | ||
| Wins | 76 | ||
| Draws | 35 | ||
| Defeats | 20 | ||
| Win % | 58.0% | ||
| As of June 19th, 2024, Source: Transfermarkt | |||
Manager Chris Davies has begun his transfer dealings by securing Ryan Allsop from Hull City. The experienced goalkeeper, a lifelong Blues supporter at 32 years old, brings a wealth of Football League experience that could prove crucial in the upcoming League One campaign.
In addition to Allsop’s signing, Birmingham City has been involved in several other transfer speculations during the off-season. The latest reports link the club with a potential move for Plymouth Argyle defender Dan Scarr [pictured].
The defender, Dan Scarr, brings valuable experience of winning promotion from the third tier, achieved with Plymouth Argyle in the 2022/23 season. During that campaign, Plymouth and Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich were competitors at the top of the table. Scarr is now approaching the final year of his contract at Home Park.
There’s also interest in Marc Leonard, with speculation linking Birmingham City to the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder. Leonard has attracted attention from various EFL clubs following successful loan spells at Northampton Town.
Despite these potential moves, Birmingham City seems to be conducting their business in a methodical manner this summer, targeting players who fit their plans. If Chris Davies is afforded the time to instill his preferred style of play, the Blues could be on a promising trajectory, akin to Ipswich Town once they found success under Kieran McKenna’s management.
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