Birmingham City may face challenges next season in League One, finding themselves as a prominent club in a less competitive environment. The third tier can prove challenging for former Championship clubs adjusting to its demands.
Examples like Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, and Preston North End highlight the difficulties of adapting to this lower division. Birmingham will need to demonstrate resilience and determination to swiftly launch a promotion campaign back to the Championship.
Birmingham looking at former Rooney teammate
Reports suggest that former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who was previously linked with the Birmingham vacancy following Rooney’s departure, could once again be in contention for the position despite the club’s relegation to League One.
Lampard’s potential candidacy for the Birmingham managerial position was discussed in a recent episode of the Keep Right On Podcast, where BirminghamLive journalist Alex Dicken expressed his belief that Lampard would be a “credible candidate” for the role, drawing attention to his past experience with Derby County.would be a “credible candidate.”
Lampard would be a big coup for Birmingham
Securing Lampard would indeed be a significant achievement for the ambitious American owners at St. Andrew’s, should negotiations prove successful. The 45-year-old’s last managerial stints in the Premier League with Chelsea and Everton add weight to his profile.
However, as evidenced by Rooney’s brief and unsuccessful tenure, success as a player doesn’t always translate to success as a manager. Lampard’s managerial credibility has been tarnished by underwhelming spells at Stamford Bridge and Goodison Park, highlighting the importance of performance in the managerial role over reputation as a player.
| Lampard vs Rooney – managerial record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Games managed | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Lampard | 196 | 83 | 40 | 73 |
| Rooney | 152 | 41 | 38 | 73 |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt | ||||
While both Rooney and Lampard have experienced a similar number of losses in their managerial careers, Lampard’s higher win percentage, coupled with their shared experience of lining up together 70 times during their playing days, suggests he has enjoyed success in management. This was notably evident during his tenure with Derby, where he guided the Rams to a Championship playoff final.
Despite criticisms of his second spell with Chelsea, described by football journalist Casey Evans as a “disaster class,” Lampard’s track record suggests he could still be a suitable candidate for managerial roles, including potentially with Birmingham.
Lampard’s success at Derby
Fielding talents like Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, and Harry Wilson during his tenure as Derby boss before they rose to prominence, Lampard demonstrated his prowess with a young and dynamic squad at Pride Park.
Lampard’s potential arrival could convince Jordan James to remain in the West Midlands for a longer duration, with the promising 19-year-old midfielder likely to benefit from the guidance of the former Chelsea star.
Furthermore, Lampard’s inclination towards employing a 4-3-3 formation would align well with Birmingham’s style, given their recent use of a similar 4-2-3-1 setup. This tactical coherence was evident in their final-day victory, offering a brief glimmer of hope in their relegation battle.
While Lampard’s appointment carries some risk, particularly considering the disappointment of Rooney’s tenure, his prior experience and success in the demanding landscape of the EFL suggest that Birmingham could provide a fitting opportunity for the 45-year-old to restore his managerial reputation.
The decision-makers at St Andrew’s are likely aware that they need to act swiftly in finding a successor for Mowbray, especially with Lampard’s name circulating prominently in discussions.
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