Birmingham City backed to move for 'quality' ex-Man Utd man | OneFootball

Blues are searching for a new director of football heading into 2026/27

Birmingham City are one of many clubs with some big decisions to make ahead of the 2026/27 Championship campaign, especially with the ambition at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park so well-documented.

Tom Wagner is approaching the three-year anniversary milestone when it comes to his ownership of the West Midlands outfit, whilst manager, Chris Davies, is one year behind the American, having been appointed in June 2024.

Blues have become one of the stories of the EFL in recent times, with their vision under Knighthead Capital Management featuring rather lofty plans in both the short and long-term, with the end aim for Wagner and Co. being a swift end to the club's long-standing exile from the Premier League, before becoming an eventual force in the top-flight amid the transition from St. Andrew's to the future 62,000-seater Powerhouse stadium.

During his two-year stint in the dugout thus far, Davies has received ample backing both over his position as manager amid various sack calls, as well as when it comes to the transfer budget at his disposal, both in League One and in last season's Championship.

Despite conducting two high-profile squad reshuffles with several star names moving to the Second City, Birmingham were only able to finish 10th in the second tier, which was still the club's highest league finish in 10 years.

However, with some big calls expected to be made in the upcoming summer window, a key decision is now on the horizon as to who could, alongside Davies, be calling the shots on that front following the departure of director of football, Craig Gardner.

Birmingham City urged to move for Dan Ashworth or Kristjaan Speakman as director of football following Craig Gardner exit

Action Images

After a period of speculation regarding his future in B9, Gardner, who also enjoyed two spells with Blues as a player, saw his exit from said position confirmed last week, with a club statement also echoing the fact the higher-ups were informed of his decision many weeks ago.

Rather unsurprisingly, reports have already surfaced regarding who could fill such a void ahead of the upcoming Championship season, with Football Insider claiming that Dan Ashworth, Kristjaan Speakman and Mike Rigg are the trio at the top of Knighthead's shortlist and are set for interviews.

Rigg is currently Birmingham's academy director, whilst Speakman, previously of Sunderland, also worked within the club's academy as a coach and then in the aforementioned role for a lengthy period of time.

Meanwhile, plenty of discourse has been sparked with links to Ashworth, who is currently operating as the Football Association's chief football officer, which is the first role of its kind within the national governing body, after previous roles at Manchester United and Newcastle United, in particular.

When asked on who he would ideally like to replace Gardner at St. Andrew's, Football League World's Birmingham City fan pundit, Jason Moore said: "If you ask any Blues fan, it's all over social media. I don't think anyone would mind (either) Speakman or Ashworth.

"But, for me, I'd want to go and get Dan Ashworth," he stated.

"He's impressed most people and had some really big roles in that type of environment. For me, Ashworth's the one, but I'd be happy with either of them.

"Even though Mike Rigg's been at the club for a while, I don't know what his experience is in that particular role.

"But, we keep harping on about 'best of the best'. Speakman did a quality job at Sunderland and has worked at Blues before, and Ashworth is the 'best in class'," Moore added.

"(That's) unless you're going to get someone from Man City, which we won't.

"I'd be surprised if we got either of them, but that's where Blues want to compete so that's who we have to go for.

"Ashworth would be quality, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at Speakman either."

Dan Ashworth or Kristjaan Speakman appointments would send out another Birmingham City statement

Action Images

Rigg does have previous experience in similar roles at Man City, Burnley and Queens Park Rangers, and as a pre-existing member of Blues' backroom staff, could very much be promoted from within.

However, that would need further recruitment to be sourced regarding the club's academy setup, and potential appointments of either Speakman and Ashworth could send out another statement from Blues.

Ashworth's pedigree, despite a mixed five-month period at Old Trafford, is largely untarnished after aiding the previous progression at Newcastle and Brighton, whilst Speakman has also worked at Blues during times of mixed circumstances, and was also influential in helping Sunderland's resurrection from the depths of League One to the Premier League and now UEFA Europa League, even though his exit from the Stadium of Light came before the conclusion of 2025/26.