Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner says head coach Chris Davies possesses a ‘similar vigour’ to managerial great Pep Guardiola.
Birmingham City are embarking on what they hope will be a journey to the higher reaches of English football. BCFC are back in the Championship after storming League One and have big plans for the future.
Owner Tom Wagner and the hierarchy around him have drawn up plans if significant investment at the club. The Blues squad has been revolutionised, but the infrastructure around the Second City side is set to be bought into the 21st century too.
BCFC - Birmingham City owners Tom Brady and Tom Wagner
Image courtesy of: JOHN SIBLEY/REUTERS.
Success will ultimately be determined by on-pitch results though and so far, manager Chris Davies has delivered on expectations.
Birmingham City handed Davies his maiden senior management role last summer and despite healthy financial backing, the boss has been highly praised for the culture he has built around the club and within the squad.
Now, speaking with i News, owner Wagner has drawn a comparison between the ‘vigour’ of BCFC boss Davies and legendary Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. He said:
“The philosophy, culture and energy that Pep has brought to Man City is something we think is fantastic.
“Certainly our manager Chris is someone we think has a similar vigour. We believe he has the right mentality to incorporate a playing style that will last us a long period of time.”
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Huge praise for highly-rated Davies
Many have pointed towards the huge spending at Birmingham City when fans have highlighted the impressive work of Davies since his arrival at St. Andrew’s.
Of course, that can not be ignored. The Welshman has received financial backing that other League One sides could barely even dream of.
BCFC - Birmingham City boss Chris Davies
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
However, it is easy to forget the position BCFC were in last summer. They needed a complete rebuild of the squad and the incoming boss needed to bring these new players together with a common goal, and Davies has done just that.
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The talent was there, but that has not been enough for countless managers before. Not only did Davies get this Blues squad firing, but he has brought them together and created a crucial connection between the players and the fans again, something that was lacking in relegation from the Championship.
A new challenge at Birmingham City
It is a new challenge that awaits Davies and Birmingham City next season though.
The playing field will be far more level in the Championship as they come up against other sizeable and well-backed clubs. Relegated Premier League sides always come down with a bit of uncertainty around them, but they boast highly talented players and strong finances – perhaps with the exception of Leicester City for the latter this season.
Davies will be hoping to compete towards the right end of the second tier off the bat, but some may argue that to do so, they will have to punch above their weight a little. If they can do that, Davies will come under even more high praise.
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