Sign Him Up

Panos Pavlakis should be praised to the hills for not only turning our club around, but also giving the fans hope. A couple of seasons ago, the situation at Birmingham City was as grim as it ever has been. But now, the light at the end of the tunnel is visible.

Losses have dropped to £700,000, the spine of the team have all been given fresh contracts and Blues are going well, so far, in the Championship.

But there is one thing bothering me still. No, it isn`t Demarai Gray`s transfer release clause. Guess again? No, it isn`t that Neal Eardley is injured. It is the fact that Gary Rowett`s contract is still only a twelve-month rolling deal, making him attractive bait to bigger prey.

Mr. Rowett has completely transformed Blues` fortunes on the pitch. To reward him, and to give the club a bit of extra security, a new, longer contract should be put in front of him as a priority.

Of course, a new deal doesn`t mean Blues are guaranteed to keep hold of him. But putting a big release clause in there, meaning clubs pay above the going rate for a manager of his quality if and when they come calling.

Some clubs will be put off by this and seek a cheaper alternative. Some clubs will be willing to pay up. But that is ok, because it is then up to Rowett whether he stays or goes. And if he goes, the club get a nice hefty sum to invest on the team and his eventual replacement.

But fear not. This article makes it sounds as if Rowett is soon to depart. If Pavlakis` interviews with the Birmingham Mail are to be believed, he is very happy here and sees this job as an ongoing project.

Taking to the Birmingham City dugout can be a poisoned chalice and many peers warned Rowett against leaving Burton for such a difficult job. But he saw it as a challenge and backed his own ability to turn the club on its head and he was true to his word.

So the powers that be at Blues should stick a five-year deal under his nose, double his pay, increase his success bonuses and whack a huge release clause in there. What do we have to lose? Other than a top manager, that is.

@TheWildeyShow