The Celtic mindset that’s turned Birmingham City into winners | OneFootball

Former Celtic assistant manager Chris Davies has shared how he was tasked with creating a new side and reshaping the culture at Birmingham City…

Chris Davies, Manager of Birmingham City acknowledges the fans after promotion to the Sky Bet Championship following the Sky Bet League One match between Peterborough United FC and Birmingham City FC at Weston Homes Stadium on April 08, 2025. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

Chris Davies, helped by star-man Tomoki Iwata has won promotion for Birmingham City

As Brendan Rodgers’ assistant during his first tenure at the Hoops, Davies has led Birmingham City back to the English Championship from League One, securing promotion with a 2-1 victory over Peterborough United, clinching the achievement with six games to spare in his inaugural season as a manager.

Tomoki Iwata of Birmingham City plays the ball away from Dara Costelloe and Sam Hoskins of Northampton Town during the Sky Bet League One match between Northampton Town FC and Birmingham City FC at Sixfields on March 15, 2025.(Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Ex-Celtic midfielder Tomoki Iwata, who joined in the summer, also contributed to the promotion effort, impressing as a standout player during his time at St. Andrews.

Speaking to BBC Radio WM, Davies said: “They’ve been amazing. We’ve put a team together from scratch really. There were six or seven that stayed but there were 17 new players. They get on well, and they’ve got a great spirit, but we signed good characters.

‘Whether we win, lose or draw you’ll always see a team that’s fighting’

“For too long this club had players that weren’t the right character, that let the club down, basically. Whether we win, lose or draw you’ll always see a team that’s fighting. That’s what the fans ultimately want for their club, and that’s what they’ve got.

Chris Davies, Manager of Birmingham City arrives at the stadium prior to the Sky Bet League One match between Peterborough United FC and Birmingham City FC at Weston Homes Stadium on April 08, 2025. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)

“They’ve been exceptional because, don’t forget, every single game this season, home and away, they’ve been expected to win. No team in the land (England & Wales) has had to deal with that, and they’ve dealt with it brilliantly.”

‘You have to cherish the good times’

“I said to the players before the game, at the hotel, that there are ups and downs in football and you have to cherish the good times. It’s really about making memories, and we had an opportunity to make a momentous occasion.”

Brendan Rodgers, coach of Celtic and assistant Chris Davies look on during a Celtic training session on the eve of their UEFA Champions League match against Anderlecht at Lennoxtown Training Ground on December 4, 2017 (Photo Getty Images)

Birmingham City are currently comfortably leading League One with 95 points, having scored the most goals in the league while also holding the strongest defensive record.

On track to break the League One points record of 103

The Blues are on track to break the League One points record of 103, a feat that would secure their place in history. Davies’ side are also targeting a domestic double as they prepare to face Peterborough once more on Sunday in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley.

Birmingham forward Alfie May, who netted the opening goal at London Road, praised Davies – who joined the club last summer from a coaching position at Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou – predicting that he will reach the highest level of the game.

Chris Davies delighted to be joining Celtic as assistant manager to Brendan Rodgers.. Photo IMAGO

‘The togetherness we have in the changing room all starts with the gaffer’

May said: “He [Chris Davies] is amazing. The togetherness we have in the changing room all starts with the gaffer. When we train, we’re there to work and the details in meetings and things like that, as a player you’re learning and understanding the game better.”

“It’s his first year, his first (manager’s) job, and hopefully we can keep him because I’ll bet a few teams are sniffing now. He’s the boss, drives the camp forward and his mentality is to be successful.”

“When you have got a manager like that who wants to drive us as players and go as far as he can, I think he’ll be managing in the Premier League, hopefully with Birmingham, or in international football.”

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Assistant Manager Chris Davies (R) during a training session at Lennoxtown Training Centre on April 27, 2018. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Davies has previously worked alongside Rodgers at Swansea, Liverpool, Leicester, and most notably at Celtic, and also spent time working as a first-team coach with Ange Postecoglou at Spurs.

Conor Spence

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