Exclusive: Birmingham City considers 39-year old to be next manager

Football Insider has been informed by sources that Liam Rosenior has been shortlisted by Birmingham City as a possible management candidate should the position become available.

Although Tony Mowbray’s condition is thought to be getting better, it is currently thought improbable that he will be back in the dugout for the upcoming season.

The Blues and several other EFL clubs hold Rosenior in high regard because of his work at Hull City and his outstanding assistant management position at Derby County where he worked with Wayne Rooney.

The 39-year-old’s dismissal by the Tigers following his close loss of a spot in the Championship play-offs was met with great surprise.

Rosenior is free to sign, but St Andrew’s bosses will probably have to fight for his signature because Championship teams are interested in having him as their new manager.

Birmingham City is currently trying to put the pieces in place in case Mowbray is unable to return to his post next season. Liam Rosenior may end up managing Birmingham City.

The 60-year-old temporarily resigned as manager of the Blues in February, the team revealed, in order to receive medical attention for an undisclosed illness.

Although Gary Rowett assumed the position temporarily, he was unable to stop the team’s relegation to League One.

Birmingham is currently working behind the scenes to ensure an immediate return to the Championship the following season.

Despite being fired at Hull, Rosenior was nominated for Championship Manager of the Season, so he might be the guy to spearhead that charge.

In his first full season as manager, he guided the Tigers to seventh place in the standings, just three points behind Norwich City.

On May 13, Football Insider reported that, should Mowbray be unable to lead the team the next season, Steve Bruce would be eager to return to St Andrew’s.

Also, sources claim that Birmingham, Cardiff City, and Sunderland are vying for the signing of Musa Drammeh.

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According to Football Insider, in the event that current manager Tony Mowbray is unable to rejoin the team, Birmingham City is contemplating a bold bid for Liam Rosenior.

After what is undoubtedly one of their worst seasons ever, the Blues are currently going through a bit of a change. John Eustace oversaw the most successful campaign launch in memory as things got off to a great start. They qualified for the playoffs going into the October international break after defeating rivals West Bromwich Albion 3-1.

Still, the owners couldn’t resist Wayne Rooney’s unexpected availability. The popular 44-year-old was decided to be let go, and the former England international was brought in right away to take his position.

Rooney’s leadership was utterly disastrous. Before Mowbray arrived in January, Birmingham collapsed down the standings in just 15 games. Things started to get better almost immediately, and people started to think that the former Sunderland manager would be the one to save them.

In February, the 60-year-old was forced to take a medical leave of absence, and Gary Rowett rejoined the team. On the last day of the season, the West Midlanders finally gave in to their fate and were demoted to League One after much turmoil.

A list of possible replacements is being compiled because it remains uncertain whether Mowbray will be able to reclaim his position this summer. Although it seems like the team has other priorities, former manager Steve Bruce is reportedly interested in the role.

Reportedly, St Andrew’s is showing interest in Liam Rosenior. The 39-year-old received a lot of positive feedback for his work at Hull City and was put in for the Championship Manager of the Season award. But after losing out on a postseason spot, Tigers owner Acun Ilicali felt that the time had come to make a change.

Naturally, there are a lot of connections to the former Derby County interim. Birmingham has now been mentioned as a possible suitor, along with Sunderland and Plymouth Argyle.

Author’s Perspective
Approach this one with caution. Rosenior may be highly desired by Birmingham, but there is little likelihood that he will accept the position. He has no justification for taking this kind of risk. After what he accomplished at Hull, his reputation is somewhat elevated, and other teams will be eager to give him a chance to return to the Championship.

The Blues’ management would aim for at least a top-two League One result in the upcoming season. The third division is more difficult than most people would have thought, as teams like Sunderland, Derby County, Portsmouth, and Bolton Wanderers have discovered in recent years. He ought to keep his distance.