"His pedigree, philosophy and ambition fits with what we would like to achieve as we move in a new direction," it read. "We are extremely excited about his appointment." But the victim wasn't John Eustace and the inbound superstar wasn't Wayne Rooney.
It was Gianfranco Zola, who arrived at St Andrew's just six hours after the mystifying dismissal of Gary Rowett in December 2016.
No Bluenose needs to be reminded how that worked out but, for the record, it was a catastrophe.
Birmingham, seventh when Rowett was canned, won just twice in 24 games under Zola and sank into a relegation dogfight. His replacement, Harry Redknapp, smashed every piggy bank in the building, sowing the seeds for years of neglect under Trillion Trophy Asia that were only ended when Knight head Capital Management acquired the club this summer.
Nobody is suggesting that Tom Wagner's US-based group are even half as inept as their Chinese predecessors, but the parallels are unavoidable.
Denne historien er fra October 15, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 15, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.
