Alex Neil favourite to be Birmingham City manager after interview - sources
Birmingham City have interviewed Alex Neil to take over as the club's new manager ahead of next season, sources have told Football Insider.
Neil, 42, has been out of work since leaving Stoke City in December 2023, but is now ready for a return to management with the club in League One.
He is now in pole position to take over permanently from Tony Mowbray after Birmingham announced the manager would leave the club for health reasons.
Gary Rowett had taken over as caretaker manager in Mowbray's absence, but Football Insider revealed he would not be considered for the permanent role after overseeing relegation.
Alex Neil to take over from Tony Mowbray after Birmingham City interview
Birmingham's primary goal next season will be to secure promotion back to the Championship after a turbulent season in which four managers led the team.
John Eustace was sacked in favour of Wayne Rooney despite impressive performances earlier in the season, before Rooney was then dismissed and replaced by Mowbray.
However, the 60-year-old was forced to take sick leave in February and did not return before he stepped down to ease the plans of rebuilding for the new season.
With Rowett taking the club down to League One, the search for a new boss has taken its latest twist after interviewing Neil to take over at St Andrew's.
Neil has led his sides through the divisions on three occasions, with Hamilton Academical from the Scottish Championship, Norwich City from the Championship and Sunderland from League One.
His spell at Stoke was the most difficult of his career, winning just a third of his games in charge, but he has been earmarked as the man to lead Birmingham to promotion at the first time of asking.
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