Alex McLeish gave what was a rare interview to bcfc.com when he attended the clubs 140 year anniversary dinner at the ICC.
McLeish led the club to it’s highest ever Premier League finish and a Carling Cup victory in 2011 over Arsenal. It was to be the most successful period in Birmingham’s long history.
What was interesting in how he spoke about the time following the cup final day. Blues struggled in the Premier League, often failing to find the net when it mattered most.
McLeish stated that losing Zigic and Martins were ‘hammer blows’ that Blues did not cope well with.
Speaking of his Judas moment, the big Scot accepted that he got back into football too quickly when opting to switch across the city to Aston Villa. He took the job as he didn’t want to end up regretting saying no.
At the time both Aston Villa and McLeish completely underestimated the backlash from both sets of fans. Blues fans of course having the last laugh given Villa’s continued decline under their former manager.
Back to Blues though, McLeish seemed optimistic for them. He gave Rowett credit for steering the club in the right direction and despite being unable to predict when and if money will be invested in the club, he saw ‘no reason’ why Birmingham can not one day, once again, walk out a Premier League team.
Be honest, do you appreciate the job Alex McLeish did with Birmingham City?
Source – bcfc.com
