Birmingham City appoint John Murtough as Director of Football

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Birmingham City appoint John Murtough as Director of Football

The Club is delighted to announce the appointment of John Murtough as Director of Football

2026-10-23T11:29+01:00

Birmingham City Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of John Murtough as Director of Football.

Murtough joins Birmingham City with almost three decades of experience across elite football, having held senior roles at Manchester United, the Premier League, Everton, Fulham and Coventry City, and most recently serving as Director of Global Development at Atalanta.

He joins at an important point in Birmingham City’s development, as Knighthead continues to invest in the Club on and off the pitch and progresses its plans for the Sports Quarter, set to become one of the largest sport-led regeneration projects in Europe, with a new world-class stadium at its heart.

Murtough will take responsibility for the Club’s overarching football strategy, working across the Men’s First Team, Academy, recruitment, performance, data and football operations.

Working closely with Head Coach Chris Davies and the existing football leadership team, his role will be to build on the progress already made and ensure the team has the structure, expertise and support required to succeed.

His remit will span men’s football strategy and identity, recruitment and squad building, working alongside the First Team management and recruitment teams to shape the Club’s playing squad. He will also oversee the continued development of the Club’s talent pathway, strengthening the connection between the Academy and First Team to establish a clear and consistent football philosophy across the Club.

Murtough will also collaborate with Hope Powell to ensure that the Women’s Team’s continued development benefits from the Club’s wider football strategy.

The appointment represents another significant step in Knighthead’s long-term ambition to build a high-performing football organisation capable of competing sustainably at the highest level.

The Birmingham City Board said: “We are delighted to welcome John to Birmingham City. We have been clear from the outset about our ambition for this Club and for the city of Birmingham. We want Birmingham City competing at the highest level of English football and we are building for sustained success, both on and off the pitch. The Sports Quarter demonstrates the scale of that ambition, and we need a football operation to match. John brings almost three decades of experience across elite football and will work closely with Chris and the excellent football team already in place, strengthening the expertise and structure around them as we enter the next stage of Birmingham City’s journey.”

John Murtough, Director of Football at Birmingham City, said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining Birmingham City. This is a great football club with brilliant fans and enormous potential. There is a clear determination from Knighthead to build something special for the long term, both on and off the pitch. My focus will be on working closely with Chris and the wider football team to give them the best possible platform to succeed, while continuing to strengthen recruitment, player development and the pathway from the Academy. There is a hugely talented team in place and real momentum around the Club. I am looking forward to playing my part in what comes next.”

Murtough began his career at Everton, initially working within the Club’s Academy before progressing into football development and performance roles. He subsequently worked at Fulham and Coventry City before becoming Head of Elite Performance at the Premier League.

He joined Manchester United in 2013 and spent more than a decade at Old Trafford, progressing through senior football development roles before becoming the Club’s first Football Director in 2021. His remit spanned recruitment, the Academy, player development, performance and women’s football, with a particular focus on building an integrated football structure and strengthening the pathway for emerging talent.

Murtough will begin his role at Birmingham City on Monday 26 October.

Birmingham City Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of John Murtough as Director of Football.

Murtough will take responsibility for the Club’s overarching football strategy, working across the Men’s First Team, Academy, recruitment, performance, data and football operations.

Murtough will also collaborate with Hope Powell to ensure that the Women’s Team’s continued development benefits from the Club’s wider football strategy.

The appointment represents another significant step in Knighthead’s long-term ambition to build a high-performing football organisation capable of competing sustainably at the highest level.

Murtough will begin his role at Birmingham City on Monday 26 October.

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