Kristjaan Speakman

[Grumpy Old Man]

fwiw, I'm not sure we will see a better CV

And if the vision that's been suggested is true (that the SpD will have the CEO reporting to him, his business qualification probably gives him a unique skillset, at least amongst candidates we could get in right now.

 

[Scootsie]

Not sure you can read anything good about Di Fanti.

You’re probably reet like, but you know what I mean.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Redmond as well perhaps?

Think so - the time scale is right. Brought 18 first teamers through in 9 years. If it's him. I think the academy will get some real tlc.

 

[Moderate Power]

According to the article he was going to become their technical director in the summer but they pulled the plug.

He’s been head of their academy for 14 years so will have overseen the likes of Jude Bellingham, Demerai Gray, Nathan Redmond, Jack Butland and Jordan Mutch.

You have to wonder if they consider cultivating and selling youth talent is a profitable venture. Looking at those names above it has probably put Birmingham City on a stable foundation.

 

[Carl and the Passions]

I'm not sure what some people want on here other than someone famous they've heard of

 

[SAFC2403]

There are many in the league above I wouldn't take. Irrespective of league were in we are safc and should strive for excellence. Even though we haven't had it! This says more about our future to be honest and it's not looking good sadly

Living up to your username there.
f***ing hell what do you want?

who would YOU have appointed????

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

You have to wonder if they consider cultivating and selling youth talent is a profitable venture. Looking at those names above it has probably put Birmingham City on a stable foundation.

It's essential for anyone outside the big 6.

 

[Deleted member 31333]

They still need bringing through to realise their potential, and someone needs to spot that potential.

Absolutely but I what I meant was that they haven’t been taken from elsewhere

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

I'm not sure what some people want on here other than someone famous they've heard of

That's exactly it. it's the mindset of "I've never heard of him - must be shite".

 

[Hot Since 82]

Takes credit for bringing Jude Bellingham through at Birmingham

Nathan Redmond also apparently.

If we ever want to break the cycle of ignoring our own academy products in favour of washed up, overweight, overpaid has beens this has to be a giant step in the right direction.

 

[Super Ted]

To be fair, anyone with an ounce of credibility is a positive move. We literally have nobody with anyone footballing brains in the club at the minute and suprisngly, this bloke seems to have done well so far.

 

[Sydneymackem]

Sounds like a professional businessman and academy person,appointment can't have anything to do with SD then.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

If this is true, by the way, there is no way on God's earth this is a Donald appointment.

 

[Hot Since 82]

That's exactly it. it's the mindset of "I've never heard of him - must be shite".

My conclusion was I'd be more concerned if I have heard of the SpD as it probably means it's an ex manager looking for a new way to feather his nest.

 

[Deleted member 46623]

On paper looks like exactly the kind of appointment we should be making to that role. Seriously experienced in football, particular expertise in youth development, some understanding of business strategy, a track record of staying at a club and building something.

Last time we did this was with one of Ellis Short's mates' son, who was a spiv agent who didn't have a clue.

This looks like good news IMO.

 

[Plank]

Poyet working alongside Schwarz man. Haway the f***ing lads.

 

[wigwams]

You’re probably reet like, but you know what I mean.

Bain was sexy as fuck too.

 

[Raker]

You must be logged on to see media items

 

[Deleted member 31333]

To be fair, anyone with an ounce of credibility is a positive move. We literally have nobody with anyone footballing brains in the club at the minute and suprisngly, this bloke seems to have done well so far.

Yeah that’s true. We had afew recruitment staff members leaving recently. I’m sure one of them went to the mags and he had a very good reputation amongst parents

 

[South Banker Wolf]

I Hooe I'm wrong buy this doesn't look good. 14 years at Birmingham! Hugely underwhelmed. Hope he proves me wrong if appointed

Other than Bellingham who else I'd on this convorbelt of talent that's come out of Birmingham over the last decade?

Redmond , Gray , Adams.
Villa and Leicester tend to snap up the decent youth in the Midlands.