Troy Deeney, former captain and lifelong Birmingham City fan, has voiced strong admiration for the club’s current manager, Chris Davies. In an exclusive interview with the Keep Right On podcast, Deeney drew a compelling parallel between Davies and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, highlighting their shared relentless approach to improving their teams.
While Arsenal thrive at the top of the Premier League, Birmingham City continues to assert itself in the Championship following a dominant performance in League One last season. The Blues started the campaign well but endured a dip with just one win in seven games, causing them to slip down the table. However, recent form has improved with three wins in five matches, leaving the team 11th at the international break and looking upwards.
Deeney admitted that the transition from League One’s dominance to the tougher Championship has been challenging. “Last year in League One, we were the best team by a country mile,” he explained. “Complacency crept in because playing at 60-70 percent was enough to win. But in the Championship, no one is scared of you, and every team is quick and competitive.”
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Speaking about Davies, Deeney said, “The manager is mustard. He’s a top, top bloke. He drives standards and pushes everyone to be better—even when they’re winning, he demands more. That’s the mindset needed not only to compete here but to aim for the Premier League."
Deeney highlighted Davies’ blend of modern coaching techniques with old-school determination. “He’s relentless—the way he trains is the way the team plays. Keep pushing, keep driving, and always find ways to win. I see a lot of Arteta in him in that mentality.”
Concluding, Deeney stressed the importance of players rising to the challenge. “Chris is the right man for this job now. The players have to step up and meet the standards he demands to keep Birmingham moving forward.”