Birmingham City have been relegated from the Championship, ending a difficult first season for the club’s American ownership group, which includes NFL legend Tom Brady.
Birmingham endured a rollercoaster campaign that saw them use three different head coaches — including Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney — but ultimately ends in relegation despite a final-day victory over Norwich City.
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Brady became a minority investor in Birmingham in August, entering into a partnership with the club’s new owners, Knighthead Capital Management LLC.
Birmingham enjoyed a promising start under John Eustace with five wins from their opening 11 games. However, the club opted to replace Eustace with Rooney, a decision that would prove disastrous and resulted in nine defeats in their next 15 games.
The club sacked Rooney in January with the club on the brink of the relegation zone, although his replacement Tony Mowbray was unable to keep the club up.
Birmingham will now play in England’s third-tier next season, alongside fellow relegated sides Rotherham and Huddersfield Town.