Pundit Guy Branston has backed Gary Rowett to keep Birmingham City up this season.
Birmingham City finds itself entangled in a relegation struggle within the Championship. Positioned in 21st place on the table, they are currently outside the relegation zone solely due to goal difference, with seven matches remaining in the season.
In the Football League Paper dated 31.03.24, page 39, Branston, who formerly served as a centre-back for teams like Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City, expressed his views: “If you’re an interim manager of Gary Rowett’s caliber, you’ll secure victories and lead Birmingham City out of their current predicament.
Gary is an exceptional head coach, widely regarded as one of the finest in the industry. His dedication and work ethic are truly remarkable.”
“His coaching technique and tactical knowledge are unbelievable. I worked with him at Burton and thought he was top class then. I worked with him at the PFA when he was doing the coaching badges.”
He added: “His attention to detail is absolutely on point and the players there will instantly respect him. He’s been there, done it and I’ve got no doubt whatsoever that the Blues will avoid relegation.”
Birmingham City backed to stay up
Birmingham City is facing a precarious situation with a concerning run of form, having not secured a victory in their last seven matches. It’s imperative for them to swiftly reverse this trend.
In their recent outing, they suffered a 2-1 defeat away against QPR, adding to their challenges. Today, they face Preston North End at home, a team with aspirations of reaching the playoffs. This match carries significant importance for both teams given their respective positions and objectives.
Gary Rowett is a seasoned coach within the Football League and has returned to Birmingham City on an interim basis until the summer.
His managerial journey began at Burton Albion before he was recruited by Birmingham City in 2014. During his initial tenure lasting just over two years, the team was on the verge of breaking into the top six before he was dismissed and succeeded by Gianfranco Zola.
Gary Rowett, who has had managerial stints at Derby County, Stoke City, and Millwall, parted ways with Millwall in October last year but has recently resumed his role as a manager. With over 500 games under his belt as a manager, primarily in the second tier, he brings substantial experience to the table.
Branston is confident that Rowett possesses the capabilities required to steer Birmingham City clear of relegation to League One.
However, he emphasizes the urgency of securing wins, starting with today’s crucial match against Preston North End.
Looking ahead, Birmingham faces a challenging away fixture against promotion-contenders Leicester City, along with matches against Coventry City and Norwich City. These upcoming games will play a pivotal role in determining their fate this season.