Birmingham City have found Rosenior perfect alternative

This potential leadership hire allows the Blues to shift their focus away from Liam Rosenior.

Birmingham City’s relegation to League One at the end of this season was a long time coming, with the Blues frequently surviving by the skin of their teeth until eventually succumbing to the relegation trapdoor this season.

After failing to finish higher than 17th in the Championship for the previous eight seasons, the Blues’ relegation to the third division for the first time in 29 years will undoubtedly sting, even if it is not surprising given the club’s steady deterioration.

Birmingham had some hope when Tony Mowbray arrived that things would improve, but with his stay cut short due to health difficulties, interim manager Gary Rowett was unable to inspire his team from the sidelines to remain in the second division.

It will be up to yet another new manager in the St. Andrew’s dugout to try to breathe fresh life into the struggling club, as the Blues start on an unusual drive to win promotion rather than simply staying afloat.

Birmingham eyeing promotion hero

If the failing Blues want a promotion hero, it’s hardly surprising that they appear to be considering former Sunderland manager Alex Neil for the job, according to journalist John Percy.

The Daily Telegraph journalist also stated that negotiations have taken place between the relegated side and Neil over the position, with the Scotsman high on their list, presumably following Sunderland’s return back to the Championship in 2022.

Neil’s ability to resurrect one sleeping giant suggests that he may be capable of doing the same in another new locale, with the 42-year-old manager already claiming a promotion to the Premier League with Norwich City on his stellar CV.

Why Neil can be a perfect Rosenior alternative

Neil was described as a “magnificent” manager by ex-Sunderland great Peter Reid following his heroics on Wearside, before his career slumped somewhat at Stoke City after the Black Cats, with only 21 wins from 66 games, Neil could now fancy bouncing back with Birmingham to show his time with the Potters was nothing more than a blip on his glittering resume.

Neil, who is capable of fast transforming a team’s fortunes, as seen with Sunderland in the table above, or consolidating a club in the second tier, like he did at Preston, might be a perfect replacement for Liam Rosenior, who appears to have rejected the Blues’ offers, according to reports.

Although Rosenior’s stock is now high, Neil may be a safer pair of hands for Birmingham in the short term than the former Hull City manager.

The Scotsman did not flinch under the weight of tremendous expectation at the Stadium of Light, and he might thrive under the same expectations here, with his preferred 4-2-3-1 configuration also fitting the demoted Blues.

"IT'S BIG FOR THE BLUES!!!" 🔵

Birmingham take a 1-0 lead against Norwich! 💥 pic.twitter.com/08zI5FpikZ

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 4, 2024

Birmingham won 1-0 on the final day of the season in that precise formation, with Paik Seung-Ho squeezing the ball into the net, and Neil may discover that he doesn’t need to entirely overhaul his squad next season to get the most out of his new players.

Neil could possibly be enough to keep John Ruddy at St Andrew’s for the upcoming season, with Blackburn Rovers reportedly interested in the seasoned goalkeeper’s services this summer, having managed him during his heyday at Norwich.

Rosenior may be considered as the flashier and more trendy option, having recently missed out on the Championship playoffs with Hull, but Birmingham could do far worse than go with Neil instead to steady the ship.