Former Man United chief Murtough joins Birmingham

What the report says

Birmingham City have appointed John Murtough as their new director of football, bringing in the former Manchester United football director to fill a senior off-field role at St Andrew’s. The move was reported by BBC Sport Football and comes after Craig Gardner left the club in June. Murtough is due to start on Monday, following Birmingham’s Championship match at Cardiff City.

Murtough, 55, spent 11 years at Manchester United and left the club in April 2024. Before that, he worked with Everton, Fulham and Coventry City, and also held a senior role at the Premier League. His most recent job was at Atalanta in Italy as director of global development. Birmingham said his responsibilities will include recruitment, data, performance and helping bridge the academy and first team.

The appointment adds to the sense of momentum around Birmingham under US ownership and head coach Chris Davies, with the club sitting fourth in the Championship. BBC Sport also noted that the club’s women’s team will fall within Murtough’s wider football remit, reflecting an effort to align the men’s and women’s sides within one strategy.

In a club statement, Birmingham’s owners Knighthead said they are aiming for long-term success and want the team to compete at the highest level of English football. The move is significant because it brings in an experienced administrator from elite-level football at a time when Birmingham are trying to build a more structured sporting setup.