How Birmingham Could Repeat Their Success in the Championship Next Year

In 2024, Birmingham City ended a 13-year stay in the EFL Championship, banished to the third tier for the first time in 29 years. The Blues hit back with a record-breaking season in League One, backed by new American part owners, handing them a swift return to the second division.

In recent years, we have seen Ipswich Town, Sheffield United, and Sunderland all secure promotions from League One to the Premier League within three campaigns. Birmingham also dreams of accomplishing a similar feat, and are currently preparing for another season of success.

WE SWEAR YOU'LL NEVER SEE ANYTHING LIKE THIS AGAIN. 🏆

CHRIS DAVIES' BIRMINGHAM CITY. RECORD BREAKERS. pic.twitter.com/y9EdJjCDvm

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) May 3, 2025

Bold Moves in the Market

The Blues have had one of the best transfer windows in the league as of now. Their five signings so far are huge statements, bringing in players who should already be adjusted to the level. James Beadle was the first to be confirmed. Birmingham’s new No.1 is just 20 years old, but has 57 Championship appearances for Sheffield Wednesday, keeping 17 clean sheets in that time.

Beadle was also England’s goalkeeper at the recent U21 European Championship, playing every minute as he helped the Three Lions to win the entire tournament. He will provide a youthful but experienced approach to the game, whilst still being a relatively cheap deal as a loan transfer from Brighton and Hove Albion.

The GK for the Under 21s EUROs Team of the Tournament. 🧤

What you can expect from the new man. pic.twitter.com/bO8R3KepG1

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 1, 2025

Tommy Doyle was the next official signing through the door, and Birmingham’s second loanee. It is rare for a Championship club to secure the signature of a 23-year-old with over 50 games in the Premier League already. Highlighting how exciting this addition is. Doyle has fallen out of favour at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last year, but averaged 5.96 progressive passes per 90 in 2023/24.

The Manchester City academy product is not only an elite passer at this level, but he also puts in an effort at the other end of the pitch. Making 1.62 blocks per 90 during his first season at Wolves.

We are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Tommy Doyle on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. 🖊️

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 2, 2025

Demarai Gray’s permanent signing might be the pick of the lot. As a Birmingham City academy product, the winger would make 72 Championship appearances for the Blues before moving on to win the Premier League with Leicester City. Gray is still only 29 and could arguably produce some of his best football yet at a less competitive level than the top tier.

Gray will bring an outstanding dribbling ability and pace to the Blues, looking to create an formidable partnership with fellow attacker Jay Stansfield. His career has stagnated in recent years, but a return to home might be just what he needs to light up the Championship once again.

Demarai Gray.

He's Home. pic.twitter.com/2tEST34NDU

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 3, 2025

Every team needs a versatile utility player, and the signing of Bright Osayi-Samuel was exactly that for the Blues. The fourth Birmingham signing with extended Championship experience, Osayi-Samuel has spent the last four years playing for Fenerbahce, most recently under Jose Mourinho. The Nigerian international has previously played on both wings and at right back, with over 40 appearances in UEFA competitions.

Osayi-Samuel is another quality signing, who could easily play for a recently relegated Premier League side. What's more, his duties were available for free after his contract ended in Turkey, an impressive coup for the Blues.

A top talent with a top attitude.

Getting to know the new man, @Bright_097. 🇳🇬

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 4, 2025

Kyōgo Furuhashi becomes the third senior international to come through the door at St Andrews this summer. Just six months ago, Furuhashi left Celtic for Ligue 1 side Rennes, proving that his £10 million deal might be one of the signings of the season. An integral part of Ange Postecoglou’s Japanese revolution at Celtic, Furuhashi is a talented 5”7 advanced forward who will be another cog in the machine which is Birmingham’s deadly attack.

In the 2022/23 season, Furuhashi scored 27 goals in 29 Scottish Premiership games, averaging a goal every 0.64 shots on target. Just a year ago, his name was being linked with Manchester City as an ideal forward to be partnered with a fellow striker.

🔹 Champions League experience
🔹 Golden boot winner
🔹 Japanese stardom

Get to know, @Kyogo_Furuhashi. 💫

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) July 6, 2025

Notably, Birmingham’s five summer signings thus far are all between the ages of 20 and 30, and are all familiar with the competitive level of the Championship. With just under two months to go in the window, this is only the start for the Blues in what could be a season that shocks the league.

Chris Davies Ball

Chris Davies is part of the popular new generation of managers who have had little to no experience playing professionally (often due to forced retirement), instead choosing to sharpen their coaching skills with analysis and study.

The 40-year-old has a history of being a part of Brendan Rodgers’ coaching teams at Swansea City, Liverpool, Celtic, and Leicester City. He has since spent a year as senior assistant coach to Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur, before joining the Blues to take on his first head managerial role a year ago.

Chris Davies’ Birmingham were very rarely out-of-possession in League One, averaging 66.9% possession and reaching highs of 72-80%, but this is an example of their mentality when off the ball

Yeah they might be a technical side, but they’re one that don’t drop the basics#BCFC pic.twitter.com/r7THvIJd3a

— Jack (@jkanalysis7) June 4, 2025

In his first year at Birmingham, Davies won the League One Manager of the Month twice, followed by being named as the league’s manager of the season. His win rate sits at 73.33% after 60 games, losing just six times in his inaugural campaign.

Whilst Birmingham is his first time at the helm of a team, Davies has over 15 years of experience in coaching, and has cited Brendan Rodgers as a huge influence on his managerial development. Both Davies and Rodgers coached the Liverpool team that saw Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge flourish as an unstoppable attacking duo. Controlling the game with the ball is the centre of Davies’ philosophy, with enough tactical flexibility to alter his team’s game if needed.

His Blues’ side had an average possession of 67% in 2024/25, and played with a high energy and intensity that was simply too good for the third tier. Possession-based football comes at the cost of potentially becoming passive, however, Davies’ Birmingham City ensure that they always have attacking intent.

🔵 Birmingham City now hold the WORLD RECORD for the most points in a 46-game league season.

Even with the unprecedented spending for League One level, that’s an insane achievement. Even more insane when you consider it’s Chris Davies’ first ever season as a manager. 👏 #BCFC pic.twitter.com/0qC1DkOWi8

— Charlie Haffenden (@JournoHaff) April 30, 2025

Promotion Hopes

It is not unreasonable to suggest that Birmingham could challenge for a top six spot straight away. They have added pace to a team that already had Championship quality, and with a few more additions, particularly in defence, will certainly be a force to be reckoned with on paper.

Championship football is the most unpredictable in the world, with favourites often failing, and underdogs performing. Birmingham’s investment has been one of the biggest in the league so far, proving their ambition to ensure they hit the ground running in the second tier.

Bookies are also predicting a strong season for the Blues. Across the board many betting companies are offering 4/6 or 8/13 odds for Birmingham finishing in the top six, similar numbers to Sheffield United.

Catalytic Ownership

Birmingham have spent over £50 million on transfers since it was announced that Shelby Companies Ltd. and Knighthead Capital Management would take over a 45.96% stake in the club two years ago. Things initially got off to a flying start in 2023, with the club competing for a playoff spot in the Championship before the Blues collapsed under Wayne Rooney. Fronted by Knighthead CEO, Tom Wagner, the American investment firm has a £3 billion plan to construct a new sports quarter, stadium, and training ground for the club.

#bcfc This was our first team under knighthead… What a job they’ve done man pic.twitter.com/zDlggrRm2l

— BenB(C)FC (@Benbcfc20) July 3, 2025

It is no secret that financial investment is key for success in the modern game. There has been clear improvements and exciting signings under Knighthead’s control, including Jay Stansfield, Christoph Klarer, Ethan Laird, Alex Cochrane, and Alfie May. Wagner is said to have a £1.34 billion net worth, bringing the club global attention even whilst in the third tier. Tom Brady is also an investor and chairman of the advisory board at Birmingham. Having a direct impact on the club whilst also giving them exposure to an American audience.

Fan Expectations

St. Andrew’s saw an average attendance of 26,717 in 2024/25, the highest it has been since 2005/06. Birmingham City have a large fan base coming from one of the most populated urban areas in the country. Lots of supporters mean lots of expectations, especially off the back of a record-breaking season.

Blues now have over 30,000 fans who want a season ticket.

Imagine what number that could be in five years. https://t.co/pPUYgjgGMo

— Alex Dicken (@alexedicken) June 10, 2025

Looking at online polls, Blues fans are expecting a mid-table finish at the least, but additions to their squad have left most seeing a playoff spot as an expected finish. Normally, newly promoted clubs hope to survive relegation; however, an instant return to League One is out of the picture for Birmingham City, and most Championship fans will agree.

It feels like there is still more to come this transfer window. With one or two extra big money moves expected to take the Blues to another level. A top-six finish looks like a reasonable reality, and would be the perfect way to continue the triumphant story that started last season.

Birmingham seems to have the full package of wealth, momentum, and attention right now, with an ambitious vision to bring the club back to the Premier League, and put the name of England’s second city back on the global sporting map.