New Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has set his sights firmly on Premier League promotion after being thoroughly impressed by his first encounters with the squad. The former Tottenham and Celtic coach expressed genuine excitement about the quality he's discovered at the club.
'From the moment I walked in, I've been incredibly impressed with the players,' Davies revealed in his first major interview since taking charge. 'The talent here is real - this isn't just manager speak. I genuinely believe we have the foundation to build something special.'
The 39-year-old coach, who worked extensively under Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou, brings a wealth of experience from top-level clubs. His appointment signals Birmingham City's ambitious new direction under the club's current ownership.
A Clear Path to Success
Davies outlined his strategic approach to transforming Blues into promotion contenders. 'It's about creating a clear identity and sticking to it,' he explained. 'We need to develop a playing style that excites our fans and makes us competitive in every match.'
The new manager emphasised the importance of connecting with the club's passionate supporter base, recognising their crucial role in the team's success. 'The fans here are incredible - we need to give them something to believe in, something to cheer about every week.'
Building on Strong Foundations
Davies pointed to several key factors that convinced him Birmingham City was the right project:
- Quality players capable of competing at higher levels
- Strong infrastructure and facilities
- Ambitious club ownership with clear vision
- Passionate fanbase deserving of success
'This isn't a rebuilding job - we have good players here now,' Davies insisted. 'My job is to create an environment where they can perform at their absolute best and show this division what they're capable of.'
The former Swansea City coach's comments will excite Birmingham supporters who have endured several challenging seasons in the Championship. His track record of developing players and implementing attractive, effective football makes him one of the most intriguing appointments in recent club history.
With pre-season preparations underway, all eyes will be on how quickly Davies can implement his philosophy and whether Birmingham City can mount a serious challenge for the Premier League places they last occupied in 2011.