"Not going to attract the best managers" - Birmingham City in talks with ex-Stoke boss | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It was a disastrous campaign for the Blues, and they plummeted from the play-off places towards the relegation zone after the controversial decision to replace John Eustace with Wayne Rooney in October.

Rooney was sacked in January after just two wins from his 15 games in charge, and his replacement Tony Mowbray made a strong start to life in the role before he stepped down in February due to health reasons.

Mowbray's assistant Mark Venus initially took charge in his absence, but after Birmingham picked up just one point from six games under his guidance, former manager Gary Rowett returned to the club as interim head coach in March.

Rowett did improve the Blues' fortunes, winning three and drawing two of his eight games in charge, but it was not enough to prevent relegation, and the club will play in the third tier next season for the first time in 30 years.

Birmingham were hopeful that Mowbray would be able to return to the club this summer, but he has now departed, and the search for his successor is underway.

Former Hull City manager Liam Rosenior, who was surprisingly sacked by the Tigers earlier this month despite leading them to a seventh-placed finish in the Championship, was reportedly on the Blues' list of targets, but according to journalist Alan Nixon, he is not currently interested in the job.

It seems that Birmingham have now turned their attention to former Sunderland and Stoke City manager Alex Neil, with journalist John Percy claiming that the club have held "initial talks" with the 42-year-old.

Neil, who has been out of work since being dismissed by Stoke in December, is said to be "regarded as a good option" by the Blues, but discussions are only in the early stages, and the appointment process is "still ongoing".

Birmingham City fan pundit has "mixed emotions" as Alex Neil talks held

FLW's Birmingham City fan pundit Mike Gibbs says Neil's previous promotion experience is a positive, but he admits he would be slightly underwhelmed with the appointment.

"I think mixed emotions on Alex Neil; he's had a bit of a rollercoaster managerial career," Mike told FLW.

"He did well at Hamilton and Norwich, not a great stint at Preston, did well in a very short space of time at Sunderland, and then Stoke was a bit of a disaster.

"On the pros side for me, the fact that he's been there and done it in terms of League One and Championship promotions, that's a very, very good thing.

"However, is he really want we want in terms of playing style? I'm not quite sure. "I don't think it would be the worst appointment in the world, but I've personally got my bar set a little bit higher. "We've got to remember we're a League One club and we're not going to attract the best managers in the world, but I still am a big believer that the project is very enticing for managers. "I just felt like we could potentially go after someone a bit more in the ilk we're looking for.

"That being said, he wouldn't be the worst appointment, but he may not be the best appointment either, so I'm probably somewhere in the middle."

Alex Neil would be a good appointment for Birmingham City

There is no doubt that Neil's spell at Stoke was disappointing, but his previous managerial track record is impressive.

Neil has achieved three promotions during his career with Hamilton Academical, Norwich City and Sunderland, and it is his spell with the Black Cats that will make him attractive to the Birmingham board.

The Scotsman took charge at the Stadium of Light in February 2022, and he led his side to promotion from League One via the play-offs just three months later.

Neil may not be the ambitious choice that some Blues fans will be hoping for, but he is a safe pair of hands, and he may be the perfect man to restore some stability back to the club after an incredibly turbulent year.