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Birmingham City coach Tom Huddlestone has discussed one incredible thing that Chris Davies did at the club, despite promotion being confirmed from League One last season.
The Blues managed a remarkable 2024/25 League One campaign, where they won promotion with a record-breaking 111 points tally.
Under the stewardship of Birmingham City boss Chris Davies, he was able to guide them towards the title, setting them up perfectly for this Championship season, where there are expectations that the Blues can mount another top campaign.
Birmingham City’s change in fortunes came with the takeover from chairman Tom Wagner, who has sparked fresh hope and optimism into the club.
In the new and exciting era for Birmingham City, coach Tom Huddlestone has spoken about how he joined the club, as well as one surprising demand that Davies made of him and the other staff and players.
Tom Huddlestone notes Chris Davies’ ambition in Birmingham City promotion
Tom Huddlestone joined Birmingham City one year ago, in September 2024, where he played a role in the Blues’ brilliant 2024/25 campaign.
It came after a short spell at Wigan Athletic, where he was quick to move on from after noticing the opportunity he had on offer at St Andrews.
Reflecting on his time before Birmingham City, where he found himself at Wigan Athletic with Shaun Maloney, he said: “Having played Birmingham a few weeks before, having played at St. Andrews down the years, you know, exactly the size of the club. Incredible.
“Then you can see the direction the club’s going in. So, one, it was a no-brainer to join when I was offered the opportunity.
“Last season I think most clubs as well once you get to guaranteeing promotion or guaranteeing the league title everybody will just take a rest but the manager every day demands 100% off the players, same as the staff as well to be fair and I think that’s why we we got to 111 points in the end which is yeah it’s a fabulous season isn’t it?”
Huddlestone then went on to discuss how he was offered a role at the club, to which he said: “It was quite random. So last year I helped out with England under 21s, and after one of the camps they took us to, I bumped into Craig Gardner, who I’d played with previously at England under 21s, and it was the same time that Ashley Cole had left.
“So Gards had sort of said that the club was still looking for a coach, and would it be of interest, and sometimes it just falls.”
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Chris Davies will have promotion ambitions for Birmingham City
As we already know, Chris Davies will not be keen for Birmingham City to settle for mediocrity this season, and that means having to gamble on a promotion push.
Following on from last season, where Birmingham City picked up plenty of momentum, partnered with the ambition shown with signings this summer, the Blues’ boss will see all of these things as reason why they should find themselves in the higher echelons of the Championship table by the end of the campaign.
It has been a solid start to life in the Championship, but Birmingham City were brought back to earth with the defeat against Leicester City, which would have reminded Davies of the strength of the sides they face this season.
Davies will continue to push the club as a whole to exceed expectations this season, which is the character and mindset needed for Birmingham City’s project.