Birmingham City are allegedly in early talks to appoint recently departed EFL manager Mark Warburton, according to Football Insider.
Lee Bowyer is set to be sacked and a replacement is already being targeted by the club’s prospective new owners with discussions are a preliminary stage.
A source with knowledge of the Blues’ situation has told Football Insider that Warburton, 59, is a leading contender to takeover at St Andrew’s.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE! 🚨
– Birmingham City in preliminary talks to appoint Mark Warburton as new manager. ☎️
– Lee Bowyer set to be sacked imminently. ⚠️
– Takeover expected to be completed within weeks. ⬇️
https://t.co/kx6035P2xC#bcfc pic.twitter.com/5AzW9MFjeG
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) May 11, 2022
Warburton’s three-year tenure at QPR came to an end with a 1-0 victory over Swansea City on Saturday.
It had been announced on the 28th of April that he would be leaving the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium at the end of the season although he remained in place for the final two Championship games.
QPR ended the season in 11th place having been playoff contenders until recent months, when their form and results dipped, though some feel the West London outfit will have made a mistake in not keep hold of him.
WARBURTON’S MANAGERIAL STATS:
Brentford – 10 December 2013 until 30 May 2015 – 78 games, 40 wins, 16 draws, 22 defeats, 51.3 win %
Rangers – 15 June 2015 until 10 February 2017 – 82 games, 54 wins, 15 draws, 13 defeats, 65.9 win %
Nottingham Forest – 14 March 2017 until 31 December 2017 – 37 games, 15 wins, 3 draws, 19 defeats, 40.5 win %
Queens Park Rangers – 8 May 2019 until May 2022 – 150 games, 56 wins, 35 draws, 59 defeats, 37.3 win %
Total – 347 games, 165 wins, 69 draws, 113 defeats, 47.6 win %
Birmingham had a poor season that saw them finish 20th and picked up just 47 points.
Football Insider stated in April that Bowyer, 45, was fighting for his job despite managing to avoid relegation and had been praised for calling out the owners for being kept in the dark and not able to spend as much as he’d like to bring in his transfer targets.
He has a contract that runs until the summer of 2023, and you’ll have to think for any prospective manager that comes in will have to get used to the frenzied activity behind the scenes, or what he will be told about it anyway.
Lee Bowyer has said on his future: “I’ve done everything that I said I would do – if that’s not enough, that’s for the club to decide,” the former Charlton boss told BBC Radio WM.
On Monday’s meeting, he said: “We’ll discuss this season, the pros and cons, because there’s pros and cons to every season.
“Would I have liked it to have been sooner? Yes. Recruiting players is going to be important and by putting this meeting back a little bit, we might have lost the odd player here and there – but it is what it is, we can’t change that.
“My thinking hasn’t changed, it never will, so we’ll have a meeting on Monday and see where we go from there.”
Bowyer insists that the team had played better this season than overall results suggested and said there were a lot of positives, with some of their youngsters who had been given a chance to shine.
“Maybe six, seven and eight teenagers have been given debuts and as a club rebuilding and in transition, it shows the academy are doing good things and we’ve given them an opportunity this season, and that’s a big plus for me,” Bowyer added.
Meanwhile, Birmingham City are on the verge of a £32 million takeover that could be completed within four weeks.
An unnamed British businessman has been given the green light to have exclusivity to purchase the club, according to reports.
The Telegraph said that they are ‘on the verge’ of a £32million takeover and a deal could be completed within the next four weeks.
The potential UK-based buyer is working with financial expert Keith Harris to complete the sale.
Harris was appointed by current owners Birmingham Sports Holdings (BSHL) as their reign at St Andrew’s appears to be nearing and end. Latest reports claim that talks are expect to soon take place with the EFL, who will require proof of funds and the buyer to pass the owner and directors’ test.
The Telegraph’s report goes on to say the UK-based businessman who has been granted exclusivity has no links to former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley or former Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez.
It has also been claimed that Blues fan Paul Richardson, businessman Christian Codoma and Lopez were interested in buying the football club.
Lopez was seen in attendance for Birmingham’s final day defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, thanking fans for their support of a potential takeover.
It comes as Hong Kong-based BSHL look set to to end their six year ownership of Blues which has been overshadowed with fan protests.
They gained control of the club in 2016, but supporters will be pleased to see the back of them in the coming months if a deal is made.
Twitter users reacted with said to be Birmingham in early talks to appoint the recently departed EFL manager…
@danlukeashby: If I was Warburton I would stay away from Birmingham they are in a mess.
@delves1: We’re a mess so if he comes in it’s a win win for him, he doesn’t get it right he can say “it was a mess before I got here” he gets it right he is lorded as a hero
@zdpj_: It’s the easiest job in the world. Your reputation isn’t even ruined under these owners, Bowyer was called a hero by the media for even taking a job. I doubt Warburton would come unless these new owners are confirmed anyway.
@RyanBCFC1: I presume if this is true he would have spoke to the potential new owners can’t see him wanting to come under the current ownership #bcfc
@BloreLuke: If true, warburton needs longer than one season, its a complete rebuild we need, any manager will need time
@Jimismyname: May as well stay with Bowyer then.
@dharvey4: I don’t think Bowyer is the problem, I would give him a chance with new owners.
@zulu110872: Tactically inept unfortunately
@BigAL1978: If takeover is weeks away, why sack the manager? Sacking him means more money going out of the club. Sacking a manager who potentially in a few weeks time will no longer answer to the current owners 🤷🏻♂️ makes no sense whatsoever imo
@woodybcfc: A proven failure in the championship so blues potentially go and get him in. Never learn. Fucks sake
@Kieranbcfc2: Proven failure? Couldn’t get his clubs over the line but has a history of taking struggling clubs and providing stability/playoff potential. Better than what we currently have
@elwell_alan: Good manager but we’ll soon bring him down to our level don’t worry about that #BSHLOUT 💙
@joshtillz16: Congratulations birmingham if you appoint this man this will be a record of how many managers careers you can ruin in 8 years. Not long till he does shit because the players and he gets abused by our so called fans. #BCFC
@bcfcxjack: love pre season because i get convinced every time we are winning the league invincible
@BluesJack_: Yeah get the promotion bus started man
@RonnieGaffney1: Hahahah we’re actually going up next season
@scottyhbcfc91: Like the sound of this tbh …..think he could exactly what we need #bcfc
@calmajir: It looks like Mark Warburton is the next mercenary. When you use your loaf, it does make sense. I’m hearing Lewis Baker will be his first signing. Still fairly young and is low risk so best of both. I reckon we’re on the crust of promotion next season #BCFC
@connor_t94: Mark Warburton. I’m happy with this under new owners especially, clean slate and someone who can build a stable base for us going forward. He did so at all his other jobs Brentford, Rangers and QPR. With the help out good recruiting and a solid youth foundation. The questions will be about his style of play and it suiting the fans Effective last season with QPR but not ground breaking style but I’d still be happy with it but not overly excited about watching us. We need though is stability on and off the pitch he can do that

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