Birmingham City: Former Manchester United chief John Murtough appointed as director of football

Birmingham City have appointed former Manchester United chief John Murtough as their new director of football.

Murtough, 55, who left United in April 2024 as football director after 11 years at Old Trafford, becomes the replacement for Craig Gardner, who departed St Andrew's in June.

Murtough, who has also worked for Everton, Fulham and Coventry City, was with the Premier League before joining Manchester United in 2013.

His most recent role was in Serie A as director of global development at Atalanta.

Murtough will begin his role at US-owned Birmingham on Monday - following this weekend's Championship game at Cardiff City.

Blues currently sit fourth in the Championship after a run of three straight wins since the international break under head coach Chris Davies.

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In a statement, Birmingham have said Davies "will report into" Murtough, while his remit also covers recruitment, data, performance and the pathway from the academy into the first team.

Murtough will also "collaborate with Hope Powell to ensure that the Blues women's team, enjoy "continued development benefits from the club's wider football strategy", while his remit also includes

Blues, twice Women's Super League runners-up in 2011 and 2012, currently sit 13th, one place off the bottom, in the table.

"This is a great football club with brilliant fans and enormous potential" said Murtough. "There is a clear determination from Knighthead to build something special for the long term, both on and off the pitch."

In a board statement, owners Knighthead Capital Management said: "We have been clear from the outset about our ambition for this club and for the city of Birmingham.

"We want Birmingham City competing at the highest level of English football and we are building for sustained success, both on and off the pitch."

Murtough began his career working alongside David Moyes at Everton as a sports scientist, working his way up to become head of performance before leaving in 2012 to become Premier League head of elite performance.

He then joined Man United in 2013, going on to become head of football development, before being promoted to football director in March 2020 a role that gave him "overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions".

He was at the helm in an era that brought the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer , the short-term appointments of Michael Carrick and then Ralf Rangnick , before the unveiling of Erik ten Hag . But he had left before ten Hag was sacked in October 2024 .

Jadon Sancho , for £73m, Anthony, the second-most expensive player in the club's history when he signed from Ajax for £81.3m, Rasmus Hojlund for £72m and Mason Mount , for £55m, were all recruited under his watch.

'Murtough brings a wealth of experience' - Analysis

BBC Radio WM's Blues reporter Richard Wilford

The arrival of John Murtough is another visible sign of the club's ambition.

He brings with him a wealth of experience, much of which has come at the highest level.

Identifying Craig Gardner's successor was not a quick process after the former Blues midfielder stepped aside in spring.

Gardner had played a significant role in the change of ownership and the rapid recovery from relegation to League One.

Murtough's appointment comes at a time of great optimism on the field under Chris Davies. Blues are in the top four of the Championship and the women's team are trying to re-establish themselves in the WSL.

There was some concern in the summer about the lack of football experience at St Andrew's filling the gap between the owners and the coaching staff.

The choice of Murtough will go a long way towards calming those worries.