Interim manager Gary Rowett has challenged Birmingham’s players to prove they have what it takes to lead the team back to the Sky Bet Championship after they were relegated despite securing a 1-0 win over Norwich.
Paik Seung-ho’s 55th-minute winner became irrelevant because of wins for rivals Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Blackburn at Sunderland, promoted Leicester and Hull respectively.
It means Blues will be playing in the third tier for the first time in 30 years after 13 seasons in the Championship and four last-day brushes with relegation in the last 11 years.
“There are some players that it would be great if they had the responsibility to say, ‘I’m going to stay to get this club back into the Championship’,” said Rowett, who will now leave the club as manager Tony Mowbray recovers from a health problem.
“I think sometimes it’s easy for people to look at the exit door and look for the easy way out.
“Maybe that’s something players need to look at.
“Hopefully Tony comes back to get the club back into the Championship.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity if they make the right steps and do it the right way, I believe.”
Rowett is Birmingham’s sixth man in charge at St Andrew’s this season after John Eustace, Wayne Rooney, Steve Spooner, Mowbray and his assistant Mark Venus.
He believes consistency in performance has been a problem for the team, who were sixth when Eustace was sacked.
“Sometimes it’s easier on a last day when you’ve got to do it,” said Rowett.
“It’s more difficult if you’ve got to do it on a Wednesday night in November somewhere when the weather’s not so nice when it doesn’t feel like it matters so much.
“That’s probably why the team is in the position it’s in.”
Despite the odds being stacked against Birmingham, Rowett admitted he was surprised with the outcome.
“It’s incredibly disappointing. We did our side of our bargain but I felt we’d get a result somewhere in our favour,” he added.
“You look at these last-day moments or last-day goals and in the end it didn’t really seem like there was anything going on out there.
“I was pleased with the performance and the atmosphere was probably the best I’ve ever heard before the game – it was absolutely electric.”
Norwich will play Leeds in the play-off semi-finals and City manager David Wagner is delighted with the turnaround since last season.
“It’s fantastic – we have done a job over 46 games, something which we had as a target since the beginning of the season. To confirm it is top class,” he said.
“Everyone knows where we came from last autumn (17th) so it’s an absolutely unbelievable achievement.
“This is what everyone worked so hard for and now we’re part of the most exciting three weeks of the season.”
Wagner has no issue with his side not being expected to reach the Premier League.
“It’s no problem to say we are the underdogs and they are the favourites,” he said.
“But it’s a new competition now and every team has a 25 per cent chance of success.”
Wagner famously got Huddersfield promoted through the play-offs and revealed some lessons he has learned.
“I would say I have learned that the opposite counts – momentum does not count as I think we only won two out of our last eight games at Huddersfield, and being favourites does not count,” he added.
Jack Grealish Man CityPep Guardiola has left Jack Grealish out of Man City's squad for their final day tilt against Fulham, fuelling speculation over the winger's future. Manchester United FC v Manchester City FC - Premier LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?Grealish is scheduled for talks with the club this summer, but his omission from their crucial trip to Craven Cottage is the latest sign his future likely li...
Manchester United v Fulham - Emirates FA Cup Fifth RoundVictor Lindelof's time at Manchester United is drawing to a close as the Swedish international will leave once his contract expires.WHAT HAPPENED?Fabrizio Romano has reported that a final decision was made following a meeting this week between the club’s hierarchy and the player, marking the end of an eight-year stint at Old Trafford. D...
🔊 Can Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League for the second consecutive season? Their chances look promising, especially with Manchester United unfortunately becoming one of the main point donors in the Premier League. However, a win at Old Trafford won't be enough. They need one of the top three to drop points. Regardless, the visitors will be playing solely for the win, making the favorite...
🔊 Can Newcastle secure a top-five finish in the English Premier League? Currently sitting fourth, they are only ahead of Chelsea and Aston Villa on goal difference. This makes a win at St. James' Park crucial for the Magpies. Everton might not be in contention for anything significant, but they remain a tricky opponent. We'll explore various scenarios to make an insightful prediction. Head-to-Head...
🔊 Will Manchester City secure a spot in the Champions League by the end of the Premier League season? A victory would guarantee it. However, under certain scenarios, a draw or even a loss might suffice. Fulham, stuck in mid-table, aren't contending for anything significant. With a lack of motivation, they appear as the underdogs in this clash at London's Craven Cottage. Nonetheless, we will explor...
🔊 Can Ipswich Town wrap up their stay in the English Premier League with a victory? They're up against West Ham, a team with a decent squad but plenty of on-field issues. This gives the "Tractor Boys" a chance to delight the crowd at Portman Road, even though they aren't the favorites. We'll explore various scenarios to make a well-founded prediction.Head-to-Head📊 The only head-to-head encounter b...
🔊 Will the final round of the English Premier League serve as a dress rehearsal for the Community Shield? These very teams will compete for the trophy in August. It's a familiar scenario for Liverpool, but not so for Crystal Palace, who will make their debut in such a match. However, both teams are unlikely to be looking that far ahead, as their lineups are bound to change. More likely, players fr...
🔊 How will Leicester look without their legend, Jamie Vardy? The team is likely to undergo some restructuring, but that's a challenge for next season when the Foxes will be competing in the Championship. Bournemouth, on the other hand, will remain in the Premier League, though their squad could see significant changes due to increased demand for their players. In this upcoming clash, neither team ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Enzo Maresca now The Arsenal of Italy When you see it… Arteta really thinks this. The difference The last time Man United won a European Trophy was when they played against… Andre Onana! James Maddison had a big night Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC...
Kyle Walker's decline led to him being cast aside by Pep Guardiola, before he joined AC Milan in January. Since then, it has been Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis that have operated at right-back, but Man City are keen for a specialist to be brought in during the summer. And they have now set their sights on one of the Premier League's brightest talents.Man City identify Tino Livramento as leading rig...
- 1 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Man City target right-back Tino Livramento
- 4 Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Prediction 25 May 2025
- 5 Man United man makes stunning claim
- 6 Tottenham vs Manchester United Prediction 22 May 2025
- 7 Goodbye Jack Grealish?! Pep Guardiola axes Man City star from squad for crucial Fulham clash as transfer talk continues to swirl
- 8 Eberechi Eze is at it again as he helps Crystal Palace to victory against Wolves
- 9 Liverpool considering transfer swoop
- 10 Manchester United vs Aston Villa Prediction 25 May 2025