A surprise new name ‘holds talks’ with Birmingham City over becoming their new manager once Pep Clotet leaves at the end of the season.
The Blues looking for a sixth manager in just three and a half years, previously losing Gary Rowett (December 2016), Gianfranco Zola (four months), Harry Redknapp (five months), Steve Cotterill (five months), Monk (15 months) and now Clotet (12 months).
Clotet agreed with the Championship outfit a week ago to step down at the end of this season, with a statement saying he had been allowed to leave “to explore other coaching opportunities”.
Nigel Clough has held preliminary talks with Birmingham about replacing Pep Clotet as head coach.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 14, 2020
Details emerged on Sunday night from Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, who says Clough ‘has held preliminary talks with Birmingham’s hierarchy’ over becoming the club’s new boss.
Clough resigned as Burton boss four weeks ago, looking for a fresh start in football but to also help Burton out financially, who have been hit hard by lost revenue because of the coronavirus pandemic.
He is also one of the favourites for the job at newly relegated side Bolton Wanderers, with Keith Hill to leave this month.
Clotet still has nine games left, so Birmingham will be in no rush when it comes to appointing a new manager, with the 2020/21 season rumoured to begin at the end of August.
Birmingham are eight points above the relegation places. Last week, the club avoided a potential second points deduction in two years despite the EFL winning its appeal over a misconduct charge against the club.
On June the 20th, they take on high flyers West Bromwich Albion, live on Sky Sports, in their first game back since March.
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NEXT BIRMINGHAM MANAGER ODDS:
Nigel Clough – 7/4
Lee Bowyer – 4/1
Neil Warnock – 6/1
Chris Hughton – 7/1
Lee Carsley – 9/1
Slavisa Jokanovic – 12/1
Craig Gardner – 14/1
Mark Robins – 16/1
A surge in bets have seen former Blues midfielder Lee Bowyer, currently manager of strugglers Charlton Athletic, installed as favourite at 2/1 after previously being 8/1.
Neil Warnock had been named the favourite to takeover five days ago, however those odds have since drifted.
He’s has taken charge of 1,488 games during a 40-year managerial career, and wants to reach the 1,500 milestone, however days before being installed at the top of Sky Bet’s list, he said chances are looking slim.
“It would be a great achievement to get to 1,500 but I can’t see it happening unless it is the end of the season somewhere and someone asks me to help them out,” Warnock told the BBC’s Friday Football Social.
Chris Hughton breaks his silence on Birmingham City links
When asked by ModernSoccerCoach.com if he would consider going back to his former club, he kept his cards very close to his chest.
“You get used to that speculation,” the 61-year-old said.
“One thing I would always say is speculation is always flattering because if someone is talking about you or linking you to a job then it’s something that is flattering.
“What I would also say is when you are commenting on these things you always have to have respect for the club itself.
“I had a wonderful time at Birmingham – it is speculation at the moment.
“Whatever happens with everybody going into that job its a wonderful club that needs to get back to pushing for positions that will allow them to get back into the Premier League.
“Any nice words that I have had said from the Birmingham supporters are always really appreciated.
“I had one year there, we had a wonderful season which saw us play in the Europa Cup.
“I would say in my footballing career it was one of the best years, we travelled across to Europa I had Birmingham City supporters telling me they were hearing Birmingham City songs they hadn’t heard sung for so many years.
“It was a wonderful season. It was a wonderful journey and one I shall never forget.”
Slavisa Jokanovic is looking for a return to English football, amid reports claiming he is top of the Birmingham wish-list, though he will be expensive to bring in from Qatari club Al-Gharafa.
Fans have reacted after seeing a surprise name in Nigel Clough ‘holds talks’ with Birmingham over becoming their new manager…
Probably shows where the club’s at. No disrespect to clough but it be about right if you want to finish mid-table. I would imagine Bellingham and Pedersen, sunjic being sold with little money being spent. No hope under current owners.
— Gary Turner (@GaryTur55088065) June 15, 2020
Did well at Button on a shoestring, did well at Detby and Sheffield United bearing in mind they were both cutting budgets. Derby have done no better since he left
— Paul Knight (@paulknight1976) June 14, 2020
Not as bad as everyone seems to think imo. Had a very poor burton squad in the championship and did well. With a better squad who knows what he might do
— Matty_Blue (@mat468) June 14, 2020
No thank you, that’s all??
— Kane (@KaneGStyles) June 14, 2020
Sake blues. Why on earth would you want a man in charge who has never even looked like gaining promotion to the premier league. He’s league 1 at best. Speak with him and say thanks but no thanks.
— Andy Ricketts (@crickschelttips) June 14, 2020
The level of the other candidates are far superior to cloughy is all it is. He’s decent, might do well, would more than likely keep us a mid table side but can’t see much more than that
— Chamblm (@Chamblm1) June 15, 2020
Burton had no right to be in the Championship. Keeping them up was always going to be a tall order. His win % at Sheff Utd was 47.1, at Derby it was 33.5 despite many internal issues. Not my first choice but wouldn’t be disastrous.
— Rob Wildey (@w11dey) June 14, 2020
Might just be a fantastic call. Experienced but progressive. Reasonable track record in terms of PTS/game and win % – just a touch behind Monk – but ⅓ of those games at Burton with no ?.
He’d do for me.
— Alex James (@alexjhurley) June 14, 2020
Nigel clough ???? #bcfc pic.twitter.com/UN7szDlKte
— eric bullock (@ecakeeprighton) June 14, 2020
For Christ’s sake Nigel don’t go there. It’s a horrible club.
— JoeBakersCat (@ForestPat1951) June 14, 2020
@XuandongRen what is going through your head
— Will ? (@BluesWillll) June 14, 2020
Under appreciated manager.
— Joe Stevenson (@JoeStevensonRam) June 14, 2020
— Phil Clark (@PhilWesley08) June 14, 2020
Poor Birmingham
— Liam Oxley (@Oxley2Liam) June 14, 2020
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