Birmingham City have announced the resignation of chief executive Xuandong Ren. Ren leaves his role after four-and-a-half years with a replacement for him yet to be confirmed by the club.
Ren departs after a turbulent time in charge in which the club has consistently struggled in the Championship, changed managers regularly and left fans majorly unhappy with the overall running of the club.
Birmingham City Chief Executive Xuandong Ren Leaves His Role at the Club
Ren Exits After Another Disappointing Season on the Pitch
When Trillion Trophy Asia completed their takeover in 2016 optimism was high, but years of constant change and consistent struggle have followed for the second city club.
Birmingham are on their seventh permanent manager since Ren took over as chairman. Lee Bowyer managed to salvage their season and secure survival comfortably. However, this hasn’t appeased the fans and protests have taken place, including a plane protest which flew over Vicarage Road when the Blues travelled to Watford.
As well the protests, Ren was part of a major deal to sell St Andrew’s which they now rent off the buyers. Again, another factor that has left the fans bemused.
A statement on the club’s website read: “Chief Executive Officer, Xuandong Ren, has resigned from his position at the Club with immediate effect.
“The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks for his service and contribution.
“The Club will be making no further comment at this time.”
Birmingham Crave Stability After Turbulent Time
The Blues have been majorly unstable for far too long. The club are desperate for stability on and off the pitch. While intentions may be noble from the current owners, they must try to maintain a level of familiarity and calm off the pitch.
Bowyer has made a positive impression with a squad that was majorly underperforming under Aitor Karanka. He wants to bring success but this latest news regarding Xuandong Ren could make that even harder.
The fans will see this as a positive move but will want the club to get the next appointment correct. Birmingham should be challenging the promotion places but have struggled to get anywhere near that level. A big summer lies ahead for the Blues as they try to build a more football wise club with people who know all about the sport.
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