Manager news for Birmingham
The 60-year-old took over after Birmingham’s disastrous experiment with Wayne Rooney, which saw the team go from being in the play-offs to a relegation battle they ultimately lost. Gary Rowett was unable to turn things around during his temporary tenure.
Birmingham now eyeing “superb” manager who says he learned from Rooney
He was fired not long ago.
But in spite of their disappointment, the Blues are now focusing on locating a quick successor. Birmingham and Paul Heckingbottom are expected to begin discussions in the coming days over the former Sheffield United manager becoming Birmingham’s next manager, according to Alan Nixon on his Patreon.
Heckingbottom was fired by Sheffield United early in the Premier League season, and although he is still unemployed, he has subsequently been linked to teams like Southampton. Heckingbottom, an accomplished EFL manager, would have the responsibility of leading Birmingham straight back to the Championship the next year.
Heckingbottom possesses the promotion expertise Birmingham needs.
Bringing in a manager with extensive experience in doing just that will help Birmingham gain promotion back to the second division on their first attempt. Heckingbottom is undoubtedly skilled at it. The manager, who favours a 3-5-2 shape, led Barnsley to victory over Millwall in the 2015–16 League One play-off final. In the meanwhile, he has some experience winning at St Andrew’s.
| Paul Heckingbottom vs Birmingham City (via Transfermarkt) |
|---|
| 16/17 – Birmingham 0-3 Barnsley |
| 16/17 – Barnsley 2-2 Birmingham |
| 17/18 – Barnsley 2-0 Birmingham |
| 21/22 – Birmingham 1-2 Sheffield United |
| 22/23 – Sheffield United 1-1 Birmingham |
| 22/23 – Birmingham 1-2 Sheffield United |
It’s a three-game unbeaten run in Birmingham that Heckingbottom will be keen to keep hold of for as long as possible, especially if he steps into the dugout at St Andrew’s this summer.
The 46-year-old certainly ticks a fair few boxes at the club, as they look to make up for lost time and get their next appointment right. Meanwhile, Heckingbottom, himself, is still looking for his next job after leaving Sheffield United earlier in the campaign, making this a good match.
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