Pundit tips Birmingham City to eye Kieran McKenna-type boss if Chris Davies is sacked | OneFootball

Pundit tips Birmingham City to eye Kieran McKenna-type boss if Chris Davies is sacked | OneFootball

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·28 August 2026

Pundit tips Birmingham City to eye Kieran McKenna-type boss if Chris Davies is sacked

Article image:Pundit tips Birmingham City to eye Kieran McKenna-type boss if Chris Davies is sacked

Birmingham City have been backed to go for a proven Championship manager if they do decide to sack Chris Davies.

Birmingham City have been backed to appoint a proven Championship winner if they do sack Chris Davies.


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The former Spurs coach was given his first managerial role by Blues in the summer of 2024, and it looked an inspired decision by the hierarchy at St. Andrew’s, as the side went on to break the EFL points record as they won the League One title.

However, there was an expectation that Birmingham could go again last season, but they ultimately couldn’t sustain a push for the play-offs, as they finished 10th in the table.

Article image:Pundit tips Birmingham City to eye Kieran McKenna-type boss if Chris Davies is sacked

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Birmingham City expected to target experienced Championship boss if Chris Davies departs

Therefore, there was some pressure on Davies going into the current campaign, and it’s fair to say Blues have had a difficult start, as they were involved in a dull opening day draw at Swansea, before they rescued a stoppage time point at home to Bristol City via a fortunate penalty.

Then, in the week, Blues were hammered 6-1 by Brentford in the League Cup, which was an alarming display from Davies’ side.

So, fans have been discussing his future, and a defeat at Wrexham on Friday night could leave the 41-year-old in a vulnerable position.

And, when discussing potentially replacing Davies, Not the Top 20 pundit George Elek revealed he thinks Blues will target a proven winner, as he outlined why it would be an attractive job.

You have to assume the ambition of who they would appoint if they did sack Davies would be quite impressive, when you consider where they want to take the club and the spending power they’ve got.

I think they’d go for pure calibre. I don’t think it would be a Chris Davies (type), where he has the coaching calibre but not the managerial achievements. I think they’d go after someone who has achieved. I’m sure he wouldn’t want it, but a McKenna (type), where they can point to his CV and be like this is the guy, because he has delivered what we want to achieve, so he’d come with a certain clout. That would be my guess.”

Chris Davies will know he needs results at Birmingham City

It remains to be seen what happens with Davies, but he will be aware that he is at an ambitious club where he needs results quickly.

The owners at Birmingham have made it clear that winning promotion is only the first aim, and they have put serious money into the club since their takeover.

Article image:Pundit tips Birmingham City to eye Kieran McKenna-type boss if Chris Davies is sacked

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That’s not slowing down, either, with a new stadium in the pipeline, and they have backed the boss once again in the market.

So, the play-offs will have to be the minimum aim this season, but it is important to remember that it is still very early days.

Nevertheless, most would agree that Birmingham will be a job that has high-profile contenders if it does become available, and it wouldn’t be a huge shock if they sounded out potential replacements for Davies.

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