{"id":553627,"date":"2020-06-13T11:54:42","date_gmt":"2020-06-13T15:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=553627"},"modified":"2020-12-28T11:28:45","modified_gmt":"2020-12-28T16:28:45","slug":"managerial-candidates-for-birmingham-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/06\/13\/managerial-candidates-for-birmingham-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Managerial Candidates for Birmingham City"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week saw confirmation that <\/span>Birmingham City <\/span>head coach <\/span>Pep Clotet <\/span><\/a>will leave at the end of the season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then, Birmingham supporters have been speculating as to whom they would like to see replace Clotet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bookmakers have, as usual, produced their own short-list, with one or two <\/span>surprising<\/span> names included.<\/span><\/p>\n

Candidates for the Birmingham City Job<\/h2>\n

The Favourites<\/h3>\n

Current Charlton <\/a><\/span>Athletic<\/span><\/a> manager Lee Bowyer<\/a> is the favourite. Last year, he led Charlton to promotion from League One. His reward was an <\/span>unfavourable<\/span> <\/a>contract offer<\/a>! <\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, speculation mounted over his future despite his impressive take to management. At one stage last summer, it was even announced that he would leave The Valley<\/a>. However, Bowyer later agreed on a new contract ahead of the 2019\/20 campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

A year on and Charlton have been taken over twice. This week saw a consortium led by Paul Elliott <\/a><\/span>finalise<\/span><\/a> a deal<\/a>. The Addicks<\/span>\u00a0are currently in the relegation zone, so there is a chance that Bowyer could opt for a less stressful environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is that Birmingham City? They are now seeking their sixth permanent manager within three-and-a-half years. Also, this week saw former Leeds United Chairman Massimo Cellino\u00a0linked with a take-over of Birmingham City<\/a>.
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A Former Manager to Return?<\/h3>\n

The vastly experienced Chris <\/span>Hughton<\/span>, who has already managed Birmingham, having held the post for a year, is also among the potential candidates<\/a>. His sole season in charge saw him guide the club to a fourth-place<\/span>\u00a0finish in 2011\/12 Championship. <\/span><\/p>\n

Recently<\/span> he took part in in a webinar with <\/span>ModernSoccerCoach<\/span><\/a>, during which he broke his silence over rumours linking him with a return to St. Andrews.<\/span><\/p>\n

“What I would also say is when you are commenting on these things you always have to have respect for the club itself,” said Hughton.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had a wonderful time at Birmingham \u2013 it is speculation at the moment.”<\/span><\/p>\n

He then praised Birmingham’s supporters for their treatment of him and his team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Realistic Contenders<\/h3>\n

Other contenders are current Birmingham City U18s coach Paul Robinson. Although, <\/span>the bookies see Birmingham’s <\/a><\/span>current first-team coach Craig Gardner as more likely<\/a>.
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Neil Warnock, who is linked with most vacancies, is the second favourite<\/a> behind Bowyer. Ex-Fulham boss <\/span>Slavisa<\/span> Jokanovic<\/span> and ex-<\/span>Middlesbrough’s<\/span> manager Aitor <\/span>Karanka<\/span> are two other contenders<\/a>. All three have <\/span>achieved<\/span> promotion on at least one <\/span>occasion<\/span> from the Championship, so could prove a good appointment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interesting Possibilities<\/h3>\n

Former Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is a longshot at present<\/a>. He is the current Newcastle United<\/a> manager, but that seems unlikely to continue for much longer. Newcastle are subject to a controversial take-over<\/a> from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Should this go-ahead, then ex-Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> manager Mauricio Pochettino is strongly rumoured<\/a> to be replacing Bruce. Other managerial names are also linking to Newcastle, including Rafa Benitez<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mark Robins, who is the current Coventry City boss, is also honourably mentioned<\/a>. Despite being another club in crisis, Coventry have just been confirmed as League One <\/a><\/span>champions<\/span><\/a> – a\u00a0remarkable achievement given that they are homeless. Coincidentally, they ground-share with Birmingham City.
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Robins’ stock is rising, so there will be other clubs monitoring him. It’s d<\/span>oubtful, he will switch from Coventry to Birmingham g<\/span>iven his club’s promotion<\/span>. Although, he is already familiar with the St. Andrews’ dug-out.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>