What Tom Brady said about Chris Davies doesn’t bode well for new Birmingham manager hire
Birmingham City are considering parting ways with Chris Davies just 18 months after he replaced Gary Rowett.
Lee Carlsey is the favourite to replace Davies at Birmingham, with the Blues having failed to win any of their last three Championship games.
Saturday’s draw with Charlton garnered frustration at St Andrews’, with the home side losing their lead late on when Tyreece Campbell scored.
Gary O’Neil is also in contention to take over at Birmingham, with decision-makers keen to ensure the money spent in the summer is put to good use.
Davies faced pressure at Birmingham in October, but managed to turn around his fortunes with a run of three wins from four.
Tom Brady’s explains Chris Davies appointment
Birmingham owner Tom Wagner is demanding a top-two finish this season, such have the standards at St Andrews’ dramatically risen since the 2023 takeover.
The American businessman, along with minority owner Tom Brady, has overseen a busy two seasons since his arrival.
John Eustace was sacked just months into the 2023-24 season, initially being replaced by former England international Wayne Rooney.
| Wayne Rooney | Birmingham City |
| Wins | 2 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Losses | 9 |
| Scored | 15 |
| Conceded | 30 |
But the ex-striker would oversee just 15 games, winning only two of them, before he also departed.
Tony Mowbray and Rowett would follow, before the club eventually settled on Davies. The Welshman, however, now finds himself in a similar position to those who went before him.
Speaking about the former Tottenham assistant’s appointment in July, Brady told Men In Blazers: “We found someone that really fits the values of what Tom Wagner and I really believe.
“We found Chris Davies through an extensive interview process. He’s been absolutely phenomenal in his role, and we have high expectations for him as we continue through this season.
“Every year as you make decisions you feel like you’re making the right decision but I think it’s really important, in the decision-making process, when you realise that ‘Okay, we need to make a change based on production’.
“We did it, and unfortunately we got relegated in our first year but we had a great season last year but listen, the reality of our first and second year mean nothing at this point.”
Brady comments spell trouble for Davies replacement
Brady remarked on an “extensive interview process” when it came to appointing Davies, yet the American gave no mention to the thought behind the coach’s ability to lead Birmingham into the Championship.
The former NFL star has not been shy about his aims to see the Blues return to the Premier League under his and Wagner’s guidance.
But both men surely would have been aware of the brutality of the Championship – their summer business said as much – and would have had stability in the second tier in mind when they looked for Rowett’s replacement.
With Davies clearly now under pressure, similar questions must be raised about potential plans to find the Welshman’s replacement, too, with the Premier League providing a different level completely.
Should Birmingham make the big call and indeed dismiss the coach who led them to the Championship, decision-makers face a huge test to get his replacement right.