Birmingham City was demoted to League One on Saturday afternoon, despite beating play-off bound Norwich City 1-0 at St Andrew’s.
Birmingham City will adjust to life in the third division of English football next season after being demoted from the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
After a draw at Huddersfield Town, Blues knew they needed to overcome Norwich City and rely on other factors to avoid relegation. Gary Rowett’s team did their part on the afternoon, as Paik Seung-ho’s close-range finish won the game.
Birmingham knew they were relegated before the final whistle, when Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday, and Blackburn Rovers defeated Hull City, Sunderland, and Leicester City, respectively. BirminghamLive has examined how the national media reacted to the tragic day.
The Athletic
Rob Tanner reflected on the club’s relegation, stating that it was a season of disruption and disharmony. Former England captain Wayne Rooney was tasked with bringing in a brand of ‘no fear’ football as [John] Eustace’s replacement, lasting only 15 games, and four more coaches were tasked with picking a starting line-up during a season of chaos.
Birmingham’s 13-year stint in the Championship, English football’s second tier, has come to an end, despite new ownership by Tom Wagner and Knighthead Capital Management, as well as the presence of seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady on the advisory board. Instead of a planned promotion to the Premier League, they will have to rebuild in League One, where they have not competed in 30 years.
“Even the presence of serial winner Brady couldn’t stop the rot.”
BBC Sport
Ged Scott described the Blues’ return to English football’s third tier as traumatic, as it is only the third time in their existence. A possibility that appeared light years away in September, when, following an unexpectedly strong start to the season under Eustace, worldwide sporting superstar Tom Brady made his much-anticipated debut as Blues’ new co-owner.
“Rowett lost just three of his eight games in charge. However, five of the Blues’ 13 league wins this season occurred while Eustace was in charge. And the owners have already conceded that they got the timing of his leaving completely wrong.
Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Scott Trotter concluded: “Boos reigned down at St Andrew’s despite a final-day 1-0 victory over Norwich City.” This marks the end of a dreadful season for the Midlands side, with the sacking of head coach John Eustace in October. Eustace led Blackburn Rovers to safety on the final day. The club was in sixth position.
“Birmingham’s relegation comes less than a year after Tom Wagner’s Shelby Companies Limited agreed to acquire control. Shelby Companies Limited pays homage to the Birmingham-based TV drama Peaky Blinders. However, following a turbulent season, the new owners will be forced to watch their team play in the third division of English football.
