Birmingham City's pursuit of a new Director of Football has encountered a setback, with reports indicating that Middlesbrough's head of football, Kieran Scott, has no intention of leaving his current role to join the Blues. The search for a successor to Craig Gardner, who stepped down earlier this month after five years at the helm, is ongoing.
Gardner's Departure and the Search for a Replacement
Craig Gardner spent five years in the top job at Birmingham City, initially appointed as technical director in 2021 before taking on the Director of Football role. The former midfielder oversaw the football side of the business and managed the club's transfer dealings. The process to appoint his successor is already underway, with several candidates being considered.
Kieran Scott's Commitment to Middlesbrough
Kieran Scott has emerged as a potential candidate for the vacancy, but according to the Northern Echo, he is fully committed to Middlesbrough. Despite interest from Birmingham and Championship newcomers West Ham United, Scott has no desire to leave the Riverside Stadium. He is focused on building a squad for the upcoming season under manager Kim Hellberg, whose side narrowly missed out on promotion after a play-off final defeat to Hull City last month.
Scott's Track Record
Since joining Middlesbrough from Norwich City in 2021, Scott has earned a strong reputation for his work in the transfer market. He has overseen profitable sales of players such as Morgan Rogers, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Rav van den Berg, and Finn Azaz, helping to strengthen the club's financial position.
Other Candidates Linked
High-profile sporting directors Dan Ashworth and Kristjaan Speakman have also been linked with the vacancy since Gardner's departure. Ashworth, who has previously worked with the Football Association, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Manchester United, is currently with the England national team at the World Cup. Speakman, a former academy manager at Birmingham, left the club almost six years ago for Sunderland. During his tenure at Blues, he played a key role in guiding the early careers of Jude Bellingham, Jack Butland, Nathan Redmond, Demarai Gray, Jordan James, and Jobe Bellingham.
Birmingham City's search for a new Director of Football continues as Knighthead, the club's ownership, looks to fill the crucial role.
