Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has confessed to dreaming about the future after being left stunned by the designs for the club's proposed new stadium.
A Glimpse into The Powerhouse
The Blues boss, along with his players, attended a special event in Digbeth on Thursday afternoon where the ambitious plans for the new ground were officially revealed. Dubbed 'The Powerhouse', the stadium design is a striking vision for the future, featuring 12 chimneys, two of which will stand at a colossal 120 metres tall.
The club's American owners, Knighthead, have set a clear target for the project: they want the new home open in time for the 2030/31 season. This ambitious timeline coincides with the club's overarching goal of achieving Premier League status by that point.
The Manager's Long-Term Vision
For Chris Davies, the spectacular unveiling sparked thoughts of a future where he is the one leading his team out in front of a packed house. He acknowledged the fleeting nature of management but expressed his desire to be at the helm for this historic moment.
"It crosses your mind because you see it and visualise what it’s going to be like," Davies said. He pointed to the recent opening of Everton's new stadium as an example of the transformative impact such a project can have, even if on a slightly different scale.
"I joined this club for the long-term thinking about the future of the club and the direction it was going," he added. "It would be wonderful to eventually get to that stadium and be in charge."
Focusing on the Present to Secure the Future
Despite the excitement surrounding the long-term vision, Davies was keen to emphasise that the immediate focus remains on the pitch. He understands that the dream of playing in a state-of-the-art 62,000-seater stadium in the Premier League is entirely dependent on present-day results.
"But it’s all about the here and now for me and the players," he stated. "Ultimately, we are the key ones within this that need to take the club to that next level."
Davies highlighted the significant challenge ahead, noting that "it’s one thing having the ambition but it’s a whole other thing actually getting to the Premier League." His philosophy is clear: consistent, day-to-day hard work is the only path to turning the vision of The Powerhouse into a triumphant reality.
