After a year of stability under Gary Rowett, Birmingham City have made a drastic change at the top as the turn of the year approaches.
Going the course of January unbeaten, Birmingham City picked up some excellent results at the start of the year, including a 3-0 home win against Derby County.
Birmingham’s Demarai Gray and Derby’s Craig Forsyth in action
However, the Blues did fall victim to the January transfer window, losing star player Demarai Gray to Leicester City, and replacing him with Diego Fabbrini of Watford.
Birmingham’s Diego Fabbrini in action with Blackburn’s Danny Guthrie
Despite the loss of Gray, Birmingham City continued to hover around the play-off places, thanks mostly to crucial goals from forward, and top scorer, Clayton Donaldson.
Birmingham’s Clayton Donaldson celebrates scoring
After four straight draws, Gary Rowett’s men finished the season in 10th position: an impressive end, considering the loss of Gray and the shoestring budget the manager was working on.
Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett
Working hard to strengthen over the summer, Rowett brought in Ryan Shotton, Greg Stewart and Sheffield United forward, Che Adams, to bolster the Blues’ attacking options.
Birmingham’s Che Adams in action
As well as these new signings, Rowett also managed to bring in Burnley forward Lukas Jutkiewicz on loan, who was a proven goalscorer at the Championship level.
Birmingham’s Lukas Jutkiewicz scores for Birmingham
With a new look frontline, Birmingham City fans were feeling hopeful for good things from their side this season, and started well with wins against Leeds and Norwich City.
Birmingham City’s David Davis celebrates scoring his sides first goal
Birmingham City were again looking like steadily climbing the table, showing the kind of grit and determination Blues fans were used to getting from a Gary Rowett side, typified by their fightback against Aston Villa, which finished 1-1 thanks to a goal from David Davis.
David Davis celebrates scoring the first goal for Birmingham City
However, despite sitting just outside the play-off places once again, Birmingham City’s new owners decided to make a change at the top in December, bringing in former Watford manager, Gianfranco Zola. Whether this will turn out to be a masterstroke, or disastrous, remains to be seen, leaving no doubt that 2017 will be another interesting year for Birmingham City supporters.
Birmingham City manager Gianfranco Zola during the press conference
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