Birmingham City and the former Manchester City player are in advanced talks

According to sources, Mike Rigg, the former transfer head for Manchester City, is in advanced talks to become a member of Birmingham City’s recruitment staff in January.

After recent talks, it is thought that a complete agreement with the 53-year-old is now imminent.

Arriving joining the club in October 2022, Rigg is presently working as sporting director at Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates.

Birmingham has set its sights on a new sporting director, with current technical director Craig Gardner under pressure to retain his position, as Football Insider previously disclosed earlier this month (10 October).

It is believed Gardner’s position is considered under threat, but sources say the 36-year-old has a “tight contract” at St Andrews and is therefore expected to stay on and work with Rigg initially.

Gardner’s job is reportedly in jeopardy, but insiders say the 36-year-old is expected to stay and work alongside Rigg initially. The former Blues midfielder was hired for the position in June 2021 after serving as part of the team’s coaching staff.

Since taking over in the summer, Shelby Companies Limited, the new owners of Birmingham, have made changes to the team’s ownership structure.

CEO Garry Cook is keen to bring Rigg into the backroom staff as part of the latest phase of the Championship club’s transformation. The two men have previously collaborated at Man City, where Rigg held the position of sporting director from 2008 to 2012.

In addition, Wayne Rooney was recently named manager of Birmingham after John Eustace was fired earlier this month.

Football fans are questioning the hiring after Eustace was fired from Birmingham after leading the team to sixth position in the Championship after 11 games.

Rooney will be in charge of the Blues’ first away game this Saturday (October 21) against Middlesbrough.