Former Burnley and QPR figure joined Birmingham City

While Birmingham City fights for survival in the Championship, the club has appointed a significant man behind the scenes.

Mike Rigg has joined the club, having most recently served as Technical Director at UAE club Al Jazira, which he joined in 2021.

The 53-year-old has extensive experience in the English game, having previously served as Technical Director at Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers, FA Wales, and Burnley, where his appointment was the first of its type at the Lancashire club.

Experience in a youth-filled environment

When announcing Rigg’s appointment earlier today, the Blues stated that his appointment will help continue the club’s brilliant record of creating pathways into the first team for academy players, with the experienced staff member having previously helped create such pathways at other clubs in his 34-year career.

In recent years, the Midlands-based club has promoted numerous players from its academy to the main squad.

This includes the Bellingham brothers Jude and Jobe, Birmingham City’s 2022/23 Young Player of the Year winner George Hall, and Jordan James, who was also nominated for Championship Young Player of the Year this season.

With this appointment, the Blues are clearly focused on creating a successful academy environment in which they hope to attract similar talents to those listed above, provide them with valuable first-team experience, and eventually sell them for millions more than they were originally purchased for.

Reaction to the appointment

Following the announcement, the Blues posted a statement on their website, which included remarks from both Rigg and current CEO Garry Cook.

Rigg told the club’s media team, “I spoke with Garry Cook and Craig Gardner, and they outlined our ambitions and vision for the club.

“To be a part of that, at a club like Birmingham City, with its history, traditions, and future, is very exciting. It is a critical time as we move toward Category 1 status.

“It is critical to attract and develop the greatest available players. Over the last 20 years, I’ve been lucky to witness global youth development as well as the Premier League’s EPPP (Elite Player Performance Plan).

“Youth growth requires persistent effort, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Player recruiting, coaching and development, education, and welfare are all important to what we do. We will strive to make our Academy the world leader in all of these areas in the next years.”

Cook stated, “Nothing is more important to the future success of this football club than the Academy.” That is why we have appointed Mike Rigg, a senior and renowned leader in the professional game.

“His goal is to make the Academy world-class, and he will be given the time and the necessary support to make the Birmingham City Academy revered across the globe.”