Birmingham City is one week into its search for a new Director of Football following the departure of Craig Gardner, but recruitment efforts have been quietly ongoing since the end of last season. Gardner, 39, stepped down expressing a desire for a break from football, providing the club with a valuable head start in identifying his replacement.
Appointing a Director of Football is a crucial, often lengthy process. This individual will lead the club’s entire football department, making thorough evaluation essential. The club has already seen a flood of applications and appears to be meticulously selecting the best candidate for this pivotal role.
Two prominent candidates have recently emerged: Kristjaan Speakman and Dan Ashworth—both bringing impressive credentials and relevant experience.
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Kristjaan Speakman, 47, is well known to Birmingham City supporters, having spent 14 years working within Blues’ academy before leaving almost six years ago to join Sunderland as Sporting Director. Speakman expertly guided the club’s rise from League One back to the Premier League, a feat that aligns well with Birmingham’s ambitions under new owners Knighthead.
A cornerstone of Speakman’s legacy is his ability to develop young talent. He played a key role in nurturing players such as Jude Bellingham, Jack Butland, Nathan Redmond, Demarai Gray, Jordan James, and Jobe Bellingham through the academy ranks. His proven track record of producing professional players dovetails with the club’s goal to reestablish its academy as a powerhouse of talent.
Furthermore, Speakman is an advocate for data and AI in football operations. During his tenure at Sunderland, he implemented a data-driven approach and recently emphasized the necessity of efficiently utilizing AI to achieve sporting success. This philosophy resonates with Knighthead’s ownership, especially considering their investment in Real Analytics, an AI-powered performance and recruitment tool.
On the downside, some fans may view Speakman’s previous connections to the club’s former regime—particularly his association with Xuandong Ren—as a potential drawback.
Meanwhile, Dan Ashworth is recognized as one of English football’s pioneering sporting directors. Starting at West Bromwich Albion in 2007, Ashworth helped modernize club structures and led the team through two Premier League promotions and solid top-flight finishes. His success earned him a role with The Football Association, where he played a significant part in England’s rise from youth to senior international success, including the memorable run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.
After stints at Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United, Ashworth briefly joined Manchester United in 2024 before parting ways after five months. Since then, he returned to The FA as Chief Football Officer, overseeing strategic development for England’s men’s and women’s teams. Currently, he is with the England squad in the United States preparing for the World Cup.
While Ashworth’s record is impeccable, questions remain about whether he would be motivated to return to the Championship and lead Birmingham City to promotion after so many years operating at the elite level.
It’s also important to mention Birmingham’s existing in-house expertise: Mike Rigg. He joined as Academy Technical Director in 2024, reporting to Gardner, and boasts extensive experience from his time at Manchester City, QPR, Fulham, Burnley, and Al-Jazira. Despite his credentials, Rigg may not have the recent top-tier sporting director experience that clubs like Birmingham seek for this pivotal appointment.
Ultimately, Knighthead appears poised to make a high-profile, strategic appointment aimed at accelerating Birmingham City’s progress and restoring their status in English football.