Birmingham City have named John Murtough as their new director of football

Birmingham City have confirmed the appointment of John Murtough as Director of Football.

The former Manchester United chief will join Blues on Monday, October 26 and in doing so replace former DoF Craig Gardner who left in June.

Murtough spent a decade in various roles at Old Trafford, including three years as Director of Football before leaving in 2024.

He has also held senior roles at the Premier League, Everton, Fulham and Coventry City, and most recently serving as Director of Global Development at Atalanta.

A club statement confirmed the news: “He joins at an important point in Birmingham City’s development, as Knighthead continues to invest in the club on and off the pitch and progresses its plans for the Sports Quarter, set to become one of the largest sport-led regeneration projects in Europe, with a new world-class stadium at its heart.

“Murtough will take responsibility for the club’s overarching football strategy, working across the Men’s First Team, Academy, recruitment, performance, data and football operations.

“Working closely with Head Coach Chris Davies and the existing football leadership team, his role will be to build on the progress already made and ensure the team has the structure, expertise and support required to succeed.

“His remit will span men’s football strategy and identity, recruitment and squad building, working alongside the First Team management and recruitment teams to shape the club’s playing squad.

“He will also oversee the continued development of the club’s talent pathway, strengthening the connection between the Academy and First Team to establish a clear and consistent football philosophy across the club.

“Murtough will also collaborate with Hope Powell to ensure that the Women’s Team’s continued development benefits from the club’s wider football strategy.

“The appointment represents another significant step in Knighthead’s long-term ambition to build a high-performing football organisation capable of competing sustainably at the highest level.”

The statement contains a quote from Blues’ board, rather than CEO Jeremy Dale or chairman Tom Wagner, which read: “We are delighted to welcome John to Birmingham City.

We have been clear from the outset about our ambition for this club and for the city of Birmingham. We want Birmingham City competing at the highest level of English football and we are building for sustained success, both on and off the pitch.

“The Sports Quarter demonstrates the scale of that ambition, and we need a football operation to match. John brings almost three decades of experience across elite football and will work closely with Chris and the excellent football team already in place, strengthening the expertise and structure around them as we enter the next stage of Birmingham City’s journey.”

Murtough said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining Birmingham City. This is a great football club with brilliant fans and enormous potential. There is a clear determination from Knighthead to build something special for the long term, both on and off the pitch.

“My focus will be on working closely with Chris and the wider football team to give them the best possible platform to succeed, while continuing to strengthen recruitment, player development and the pathway from the Academy.

There is a hugely talented team in place and real momentum around the club. I am looking forward to playing my part in what comes next.”

Murtough began his career at Everton, initially working within their academy before progressing into football development and performance roles. He subsequently worked at Fulham and Coventry City before becoming Head of Elite Performance at the Premier League.

He joined Manchester United in 2013 and spent more than a decade at Old Trafford, progressing through senior football development roles before becoming their first Football Director in 2021.