How Tom Wagner Has Planted Birmingham City’s Seeds for Success
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - A view of St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium, home of Birmingham City Football Club during the Sky Bet Championship match.
Recently one of the biggest punchlines of English football, primarily for spending the last 13 years in the Championship, Birmingham City made headlines for a different reason this week when it announced the addition of Tom Brady — yes, that Tom Brady — to its board of investors. Quickly, outsiders decried the move as a PR stunt, pointing to the ex-Patriots quarterback’s total lack of experience with “soccer.” But while Brady didn’t grow up with the beautiful game, this isn’t as farfetched a move as it seems. It’s one of a few subtle, savvy moves new owner Tom Wagner has made that could send City back to the promised land before long. Here’s why.
They’ve Got an Experienced Front Office
Garry Cook is now CEO, and he’s well known as the man who helped set the stage to make Manchester City the force it is today. Cook’s moves helped make City champions in 2011-12, and he’s now in a position to make the decisions for Birmingham. What’s more, the Blues also added former England women’s coach Hope Powell as the team’s technical director. Birmingham now has an experienced leader who knows what real success looks like and can point to exactly what the team needs, as well as someone who knows how to get those pieces in place.
Brady’s Not Completely New to This
Brady’s role will likely involve nutrition and conditioning, and that’s not something where he’s walking in blind. Not only did he take care of his body well enough to last until age 45 in a sport where 300-pound men are literally trying to hit him on every play, but he’s likely developed some soccer relationships. The New England Patriots own MLS’ New England Revolution, and players and coaches on the two teams regularly converse. Brady spent 20 years in New England and has likely had a couple of chats about taking care of your body with some Revolution players, which should help him decide what to implement in Birmingham.
Wagner’s Willing to Recede
Look at any successful franchise, and you see an owner who does not command the spotlight. Sometimes, the spotlight gravitates to an owner automatically (see: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham), but even then, the owner knows his job is to hire smart people, get out of their way and sign their checks. Wagner appears willing to give Birmingham City whatever it needs. Rebuilding St. Andrews was a great start, as was making some savvy hires such as Brady. It’s not likely to happen overnight, but the day is likely coming when Birmingham City makes its move back to the Prem, and the Blues might not have to wait too long for it.
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