In an exclusive and revealing conversation, former Birmingham City midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld has opened up about his five-and-a-half year spell at St Andrew's, sharing previously untold stories about his time with the club. Now 35 and recently retired, the Dutch midfielder reflects on what he describes as the happiest period of his football career with remarkable candour and affection.
A New Chapter Begins
Currently navigating the roads between Dutch cities while studying for his coaching qualifications, Kieftenbeld finds himself with more time for reflection than during his playing days. The transition from professional footballer to retired athlete has brought significant lifestyle changes, allowing him to spend quality time with his 14-month-old daughter and contemplate his future in the game.
"It's quite the lifestyle change," Kieftenbeld admits. "Since making the decision to retire last summer, I'm off the treadmill, no longer occupied by the never-ending cycle of prepare, play, recover. It's all much less frenetic."
The Birmingham Years
Kieftenbeld's journey to Birmingham began in July 2015 when Gary Rowett triggered the €250,000 release clause in his Groningen contract. The midfielder would go on to make 183 appearances over five-and-a-half seasons, serving under seven different managers during a turbulent period for the club.
"I always say that to people - I loved my time there," he emphasises. "I felt the fans liked me, it was a great life experience to move abroad. I learned so much as a person. I loved it."
Despite never achieving higher than a 17th-place finish during his tenure, Kieftenbeld became a cult hero among supporters, embodying the battling spirit that kept Birmingham in the Championship through numerous relegation battles.
Managerial Relationships and Challenges
The midfielder enjoyed particularly strong relationships with Gary Rowett and Garry Monk, though he acknowledges not all managers appreciated his distinctive skillset. Gianfranco Zola initially overlooked him, while Harry Redknapp attempted to sell him to Derby County in 2017.
"I'm really proud of that part because I never gave up," Kieftenbeld states. "I always fought myself back into the team. After a few games, they always found out it was good to have a Kief on your team."
Derby Days and Grealish Encounters
Kieftenbeld faced Aston Villa seven times during his Birmingham career, starting every encounter and developing something of a reputation for his physical approach to containing Jack Grealish.
"Not on purpose. He was too quick sometimes!" Kieftenbeld laughs when asked about his notorious challenges on the Villa talisman. "The truth is in the middle maybe. It wasn't a plan to go out in the first minute but I thought the ball was open to play for it."
He recalls receiving an early yellow card in one particularly heated encounter, with his manager substituting him after 60 minutes as a precaution.
The Redknapp Saga
One of the most dramatic episodes of Kieftenbeld's Birmingham career unfolded during the summer of 2017, when Harry Redknapp attempted to sell him to Derby County, then managed by Gary Rowett.
"I was moving to Derby, not because I wanted to, but because Harry Redknapp had other plans with the team," Kieftenbeld reveals. "I never wanted to leave because I loved it there but what I loved most was playing football and I didn't get that opportunity."
In a bizarre twist, the transfer collapsed at the last minute due to paperwork issues, forcing Kieftenbeld to return to Birmingham where he trained separately with David Davis until Redknapp's departure a month later.
Injury and Retirement
Kieftenbeld's career began winding down after he returned to the Netherlands in 2022. A devastating knee injury in his first game for Emmen, followed by limited opportunities at Cambuur, ultimately led to his retirement decision last summer.
"Physically, especially in the last few years of my career, I had a lot of energy and when you get older that gets less," he explains. "It was a good decision to quit. I had a fantastic career. I loved every second of it."
Coaching Ambitions and Birmingham Connections
Now embarking on a coaching career under the guidance of Henk de Jong at Cambuur, Kieftenbeld maintains strong connections to Birmingham. He still follows the club's progress and hopes to visit St Andrew's to witness the Knighthead ownership's transformation of the club firsthand.
"I still follow them on social media, watch the highlights of the games," he says. "I don't do that with all my clubs, so that should prove to you that I'm still following the club. I can't wait to go back and watch a game."
While cautious about committing to a future return in a coaching capacity, Kieftenbeld's affection for Birmingham City remains undiminished, a testament to the profound impact his time at St Andrew's had on both his career and personal development.
