Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner has big dreams for the club that proudly represents the Second City. Wagner is inspired by the success stories of Wrexham and Aston Villa, believing that Blues can follow in their footsteps. After clinching the League One title this season, Birmingham City is now aiming for a return to the Premier League under the ownership of Knighthead.
Wagner is determined to see Blues back in the top flight, reigniting the intense rivalry with Aston Villa on the grandest stage of all. The ambitious American financier holds Wrexham and Villa in high regard for their achievements in recent years. Wrexham, under the ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have seen a remarkable rise through the leagues and will face Birmingham City in the Championship next season. On the other hand, Villa is setting their sights on a place in next season’s Champions League after a strong performance in the current competition.
Speaking about Wrexham, Wagner praised the club’s commercial success, stating, “It would be impossible to say anyone has done it better than Wrexham in terms of creating extraordinary revenue streams out of thin air. Ryan and Rob have truly brought storytelling genius to the club, and it’s something to be admired and even emulated to some extent.” Wrexham’s journey has been chronicled in the Disney+ series “Welcome to Wrexham,” with Birmingham City making appearances in recent episodes. Additionally, a documentary showcasing Blues’ record-breaking season in League One is set to air on Amazon Prime later this summer.
Meanwhile, Villa’s progress under Unai Emery has not gone unnoticed by Wagner. He acknowledged Villa’s rapid ascent up the Premier League table over the past two years, commending the club for their growth and organizational development. Wagner emphasized the importance of having a strong cross-town rival, stating, “We want a cross-town rival that’s good, not one that performs poorly.” He believes that Villa’s success bodes well for the long-term competitiveness of the Second City derby.
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