Brendan WHO?????
That is undoubtedly the question on the lips of football fans up and down the nation, not least in Birmingham where 'the morning after' takes little of the shock away from the events that unfolded at Birmingham City Football Club yesterday.
Just two short weeks following the shocking and mysterious departure of fans favourite, Steve Bruce, with many fans still expecting Bruce to return, the club shocked all by announcing unknown Irishman, Brendan Lacey, 26, would be taking the role of 1st team manager. Lacey, who to be fair, does carry a strong reputation in Ireland, and a growing one in many places in Europe, and is famous as being one of the youngest ever First team coaches, hired by Irish Premier Division side, Shamrock Rovers at the tender age of just 16. However Lacey has NEVER managed OR coached in England and his appointment has been met by a loud backlash by Birmingham Fans.
We met up with chairman David Gold yesterday and he had this to say "obviously the Birmingham fans can find easy reasons to see this as a poor move for the club, being someone they dont know, however all that they dont know about him, is exactly what they will grow to love about him I am sure. I ask them now just to give him time and put some faith in him and his team, I am sure the true blue fans will be seen on the terraces at St.Andrews still this season."
SkySportsNews reporter, James Kane, was at the official unveiling at St.Andrews yesterday, he writes..."a buyount David Gold introduced Lacey to the press, he seemed just as thrilled as the young man did relaxed, Lacey, strolled into the room with a real air of confidence about him that was both enticing and curious for someone so young, placed in a position of such pressure."
Gold then went on to say "We are extremely happy to have Brendan on board, obviously the board are aware of his youth and apparent inexperience, and it is true that maybe this wasnt plan a. you see i first met Brendan while on holiday in Ireland, my friend brought me to see a Shamrock Rovers game and this is where i first saw him. His passion leapt from the touchline into the crowd, and his confidence seemed to really inspire his players, this obviously impressed me immedietly, after a number of chats i was sold on the idea that he would come to Birmingham and be groomed under Steve until both parties were ready to introduce him as manager, however Steves desicion to leave his contract early left us in a bit of a bind, and after interviewing a number of potential candidtates, myself and the board decided the only way forward and to test Laceys potential was to throw him in at the deep end to be honest."
Reports that Lacey will operate at first under a yet-to-be-named Director of Football, as seems the growing trend in the Premiership, were today denied by Gold who said that the possibility had been spoken about but that it was Lacey who dismissed the idea saying he was keen to take on the responsibilities of First team manager as opposed to head coach.
Lacey, who seemed uninterested in speaking much to the press, did say that he was "looking forward to the challenge and bringing good times back to the people of the Brum republic" when asked about his intentions in the transfer market he simply said "i have good players"
Well for certain there are interesting times ahead for Birmingham and for the Premiership....We wait with bated breadth.
John Carnew, SkySportsNews.
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