- Birmingham City has an advantage in signing Amad Diallo due to their manager, Tony Mowbray, who brought out the best in Diallo during their time at Sunderland.
- Diallo had a breakout season at Sunderland under Mowbray, scoring 14 goals and winning the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award.
- Despite interest from Watford, Birmingham is the more appealing option for Diallo as he has a history with Mowbray and a better chance of regular playing time. However, Birmingham’s current struggles in the Championship could affect Diallo’s decision.
Watford should lose to Birmingham City handily because Blues manager Tony Mowbray might make all the difference in Birmingham City’s attempt to sign Manchester United’s Amad Diallo.
Due to an injury sustained during a summer preseason game against the Red Devils, the forward has missed the majority of the season thus far.
The Ivory Coast winger is now fully recovered, but even though he is a regular member of the squad, he has only made one appearance for United this season.
The winger was rumoured to be leaving the team in January, but Eric Ten Hag reassured him that he is still a part of his plans, so as the season progresses, we should see him play more frequently for the Red Devils.
The forward is reportedly being linked to Watford and Birmingham, but the Blues should be first in line to sign him if he becomes available does attempt to move.
Diallo had a breakout season at Sunderland last year under Mowbray
When Mowbray managed Sunderland in the Championship the previous season, he was the one who brought out the best in Diallo.
The Ivory Coast winger failed to impress at Old Trafford following his 2021 move to the club and it took a season-long loan move to Sunderland to get him consistent game time in England.
Diallo scored 14 times in his debut year in the Championship, bagging the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award in the process. His goals helped Sunderland finish in the top six, although they lost to Luton Town in the play-off semi-finals.
When Mowbray joined the team, he began to show why United paid an estimated £19 million—which could go up to £37 million—for the forward, who immediately established himself as a vital member of the squad.
Even though Sunderland wooed Diallo back to the team the next season, he chose to stay at United and compete for a spot on the squad.
Since Diallo hasn’t played much for the Red Devils this year, he might try to find a new team to play for in the upcoming season.
To reconnect with the manager who brought out the best in him at Sunderland, Birmingham might be the best choice for him.
Mowbray can get the best out of Diallo at Birmingham
Even though he had a strong season at the Stadium of Light last year, Mowbray’s departure in December might be what makes the player decide to play for Birmingham rather than any other team going forward.
The winger has been linked to summer moves to Watford and Birmingham. Since Diallo is under contract with United until 2025—although the Red Devils have the option to extend that contract by one year—a transfer would probably be too expensive for the Championship teams, and a loan would probably be the better option.
With little history with Watford, and the club struggling to challenge for promotion to the Premier League, they show few positives to convince Diallo to join the club.
They also have players like Matheus Martins starting in Diallo’s preferred position on the right, which shows competition for a starting spot that the Ivorian will not be looking for as he seeks to secure regular playing time.
Diallo also has no history with Watford boss Valerien Ismael, which will be a knock considering his season spent with Mowbray at Sunderland.
Under the Birmingham manager, he produced some of his best football of his career, and a return to St Andrew’s could allow him to maintain that form. Being in the top 5% of passes completed and having one of the best goal-to-game ratios in the league made him an important part of the team that flourished under Mowbray. That might play a significant role in deciding what comes next for the player and his team.
If Diallo leaves United in the summer, the circumstances at Birmingham might discourage him from selecting a transfer to the Blues.
With the dismissals of Wayne Rooney and John Eustace last year, Mowbray is the third manager the team has had this season.
They are positioned close to the bottom of the table because of their poor performance this year. Before even thinking about bringing in the United star on loan, they would need to secure their place in the Championship as they are currently in a relegation battle.
However, Diallo is clearly a fan of Mowbray. He posted a message of support on social media following Mowbray’s firing from Sunderland in December, thanking him for their time together at the Stadium of Light.
Reuniting with the manager who got the best out of him may be the ideal move for Diallo if the promise of more game time at Old Trafford does not materialise.
Diallo has performed best when under a manager who trusts him and gives him time. He was able to succeed on the wing and behind the striker at the Stadium of Light, and that versatility could be a huge asset for Birmingham if they can bring him to St Andrews next year.
Even though Blues aren’t the most alluring team in the world to play for, Diallo may choose to play for another team based on the attraction of a former manager who understood how to bring out the best in him.
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