Birmingham City are searching for a new Director of Football after Craig Gardner stepped aside from the role. This appointment is crucial for the club's owners, Knighthead, to ensure on-field performance matches commercial progress. Here are five key items on the new director's agenda.
Establish a Clear Playing Identity
Gardner was never criticised for lacking a belief that a clear style of play leads to long-term success. Blues now have playing principles and an identity, though manager Chris Davies adapted the philosophy last season to improve results. The new director must ensure this model—similar to Brighton and Brentford—remains consistent, with interchangeable parts across the team.
Align the Academy with the First Team
The decreasing number of academy graduates reaching the first team is a failure under Gardner and Davies. Knighthead promised to give youth a chance, but that hasn't happened recently. Davies admitted in April that no academy players are knocking at the door, indicating a need for better recruitment at youth level and a clear pathway to first-team football. The new director must rebuild trust with parents and attract top local talent.
Expand the Recruitment Process
Blues reportedly use AI and a supercomputer for transfer targets, but the new director must bring imagination. While January deals like Kai Wagner and Carlos Vicente were smart, summer signings like Bright Osayi-Samuel and Kyogo Furuhashi were obvious. Knighthead wants better player trading, meaning developing talent rather than signing players past their peak. The director must utilise and expand the network to find hidden gems.
Clarify the Chain of Command
With a Director of Football, the first-team leader should be a head coach, not a manager. Since Wayne Rooney replaced head coach John Eustace, Blues have appointed managers, creating confusion. The new director should head weekly meetings with department heads, including the head coach, ensuring everyone reports to them. This creates cohesion and clarity over who leads football operations.
Be a Public Voice
Gardner was criticised for not speaking publicly enough in his final years. Despite being hospitable, he avoided interviews during periods of uncertainty like relegation battles. The new director must communicate the long-term plan to fans and media, reducing anger when things go wrong. They should front up to questions just as the manager does.
