Former Manchester United director of football John Murtough has returned to English football for the first time since leaving the club

Former Manchester United football director John Murtough has been appointed in the same role with Championship side Birmingham City. It's his first return to English football since leaving United.

Murtough spent a total of 11 years at Old Trafford in various different roles. He became director of football in 2021, spending almost three years in the job. The 56-year-old oversaw the appointment of Erik ten Hag as manager in the summer of 2022.

He decided to step aside in April 2024, following Sir Jim Ratcliffe buying a stake in the club. In a statement at the time, Ratcliffe said: "We want to thank John for his loyal service over many years, and for his support and integrity during this period of transition. He leaves with our best wishes for the future."

He has also held senior positions at the Premier League, Everton, Fulham and Coventry City, and most recently occupied the role of Director of Global Development at Atalanta.

An official club statement from Birmingham City confirmed the appointment: "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," it read.

"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.

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"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 featured a quote from the Blues' board, 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."

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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's career began at Everton, where he initially operated within their academy system before advancing into football development and performance positions. He later held roles at Fulham and Coventry City before being appointed Head of Elite Performance at the Premier League.

He moved to United in 2013 and remained at Old Trafford for over a decade, advancing through senior football development positions before becoming their inaugural Football Director.