Yahoo News Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner breaks silence on Championship relegation in 'transformation' vow
Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner has underlined his commitment to his project at the Blues despite their relegation to League One today.
Results elsewhere meant the club’s 1-0 win over play-off bound Norwich City did not prevent them from sinking to the third tier of English football for the first time in 30 years. Wagner cut a disappointed figure as he watched on from the stands at St Andrew’s, having arrived at the club via Shelby Companies Limited’s summer takeover.
BirminghamLive exclusively revealed in March that Wagner plans to build a new stadium on land in Bordesley Green. The American has attempted to send a message of hope to supporters to reassure them of the direction of the club under his ownership despite the relegation.
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Speaking to fans in a statement, Wagner said: "Despite the disappointment of relegation, our steadfast commitment to the Blues and our loyal fans and community stands unwavering.
"This season has illuminated numerous challenges and opportunities for improvement. Embracing these realities, we remain resolute in our pursuit of positive change, both on and off the pitch.
"Our dedication to the betterment of this wonderful club transcends this unfortunate outcome, anchoring us firmly in our continued ambition for what is to come. This off-season we will have an opportunity to provide the necessary resources in order to achieve what this club and passionate community deserve.
"As we chart a course forward, fuelled by your passion and support, rest assured that our plans for the uplifting transformation of the Blues remain steadfastly in place. Be well and Keep Right On. Tom Wagner."
Birmingham have seen four managers at the helm this season. After replacing John Eustace with Wayne Rooney in October, the club sank from sixth to 20th.
The former England captain was dismissed in January after just two wins in 15 matches before Tony Mowbray was appointed after his exit from Sunderland. The seasoned EFL boss stepped back from his duties in February due to medical reasons, prompting Gary Rowett to see out the season as interim.
"It’s incredibly disappointing," Rowett said of the Blues’ relegation. "On the whole, the majority of the players in there have given everything they have got in terms of their energy in the day-to-day.
"There have definitely been moments where, as a group, they could do more and we will always look back at that. It’s been a tough period in some ways.
"When you’re an interim manager you sometimes haven’t got that same level of authority to do things, you are trying to tread carefully but that was the challenge when we came in.
"The lessons for me are if you want to be a really good team, every day you have to do the right things. If you want to be a top athlete, every day you have to put the right amount of dedication and discipline into that. I think that’s been short a few times, certainly in the eight games I have been here."
