Birmingham City make major academy decision as 'world class' appointment sign.

The latest Birmingham City news as Blues are set to apply for Category One status for their academy

For its academy, Birmingham City plans to petition for Category 1 recognition.

In a letter to academy player parents, Chief Executive Officer Garry Cook announced the change and reaffirmed the club’s goal to function as a premier academy beginning in the 2025–2026 season.

In other words, the academy would be able to play at the top levels of young football, draw in more cash, and draw in players of a greater calibre.

Blues will be permitted to participate their Under-21 team in the Premier League 2 competition and their U18 team in the Premier League U18s event if they successfully complete the audit procedure. But the designation comes with requirements for the club’s infrastructure and coaching.

In fact, the Blues had applied for Category 1 classification before; they were given it temporarily in 2021 but lost it a year later.

But this is the most recent indication that Blues’ owners, Tom Wagner’s Knighthead Capital company, are committed to making significant changes to the team both on and off the pitch. Because of this dedication, Wayne Rooney took over as manager from John Eustace, which has had an unfavourable impact thus far. Additionally, St Andrew’s was opened to supporters for the first time in over three years.

In order to get and keep Category 1 status, clubs must adhere to stringent requirements on staffing numbers, facilities and infrastructure, education, and welfare, as stated in Cook’s letter. This is the bar we are currently setting for ourselves and the one to which we shall hold ourselves going ahead. We’ll keep you updated on the process by sharing status updates…The Club’s dedication to the Academy has already been called into question. I trust that by laying out our plans, these queries have been addressed and any remaining doubts have been allayed.

He also mentioned the open letter Wagner sent out to supporters on May 8, which BirminghamLive alone reported. In that letter, the American made six promises.

Cook detailed significant investments made on the gym, classroom, and dining areas, as well as the pitches at the Wast Hills training ground of the club.

A “world class” appointment, according to Cook, will take place in the New Year as the Academy Managing Director, a move that demonstrates the new owners’ intention to reorganise the academy’s leadership.

Cook informed parents that Danetta Powell will be leaving the academy setup and that Louisa Collis will be promoted to Academy Manager – Non Football. Former Man City sporting director Mike Rigg has been linked to a position at the club in recent weeks, but Liam Daish will remain as Academy Manager on the football side of the operation.

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Birmingham City make major academy decision as ‘world class’ appointment sign.

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