For the first time since 1995, Birmingham City find themselves outside of England’s top two divisions.
However, their exile from the Championship looks set to be short-lived, and they are on course for a dominant season in League One. Not only do they look likely to secure promotion back to the second tier at the first time of asking, but they are also on track for an EFL Trophy triumph, making this a season to remember for Blues fans.
Their investment in the squad, facilities, and infrastructure has paid off in spectacular fashion. They have built a team far too good for League One, and only a fool would bet against them completing back-to-back promotions and returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2011. The signs are all there—Birmingham City are a club on the rise, and the Championship will merely be another stepping stone on their journey back to the top.
The Squad: Already Championship-Ready
One of the biggest reasons Birmingham City look primed for another promotion push is the sheer quality of their squad. While many teams relegated from the Championship require wholesale changes, Birmingham have built a team that is not only too strong for League One but also already at a Championship standard.
Their attack is led by Jay Stansfield, a player who has thrived this season and looks more than capable of taking his form into the second tier. In midfield, Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata have provided resilience and skill, while the likes of Kristian Bielik and Christoph Klarer have big-league experience already.
By the time they step back into the Championship, the squad will be fully gelled, experienced in winning together, and accustomed to a high-pressure promotion race. That gives them a crucial advantage over clubs that may still be in transition or struggling to build cohesion.
Winning Mentality: The Key to Success
Football history has shown time and time again that teams who dominate League One often carry that momentum straight into the Championship. Ipswich Town, Sunderland, and Luton Town are recent examples of clubs who have gained promotion from the third tier and immediately competed at the top end of the Championship.
Winning breeds confidence, and Birmingham City’s squad will enter next season accustomed to being on the front foot. The belief that they are a dominant force will be ingrained in the squad, making them more likely to continue their winning ways. The psychological advantage of being a team that has tasted success together cannot be underestimated—it creates a culture where victory is expected rather than hoped for.
A Sleeping Giant: The Power of a Big Club
Birmingham City are not just another club moving between divisions—they represent England’s second-largest city. That stature alone makes them one of the biggest clubs outside of the Premier League, and even in the Championship, they will stand out as a major force.
Their fan base is massive, and St Andrew’s is known for producing a fantastic atmosphere when the club is on the rise. Having strong home support is a huge asset in a league as competitive as the Championship, and Birmingham will have the backing of a fanbase that expects success.
Being a big club also makes recruitment easier, as does their ownership model, which is laden with cash and ready to invest. Players are more likely to be attracted to a team with a strong identity, passionate fans, and the resources to push for promotion. Birmingham’s financial backing, combined with their stature, makes them a desirable destination for ambitious players looking for a route to the Premier League.
A Weaker Championship: The Perfect Time to Strike
Another key factor working in Birmingham’s favour is the current state of the Championship. The division looks weaker than it has in previous years, with many clubs struggling financially and very few teams spending significantly in the transfer market.
Promotion contenders like Bristol City and Millwall are not necessarily big clubs. Teams like Wycombe and Wrexham, who may be pushing towards the Championship, lack the financial muscle to challenge seriously for promotion. The usual yo-yo clubs, like Norwich and West Brom, have shown signs of decline, and there’s a sense that the division is wide open.
This is the perfect environment for a big club to come from nowhere and make an immediate impact. Birmingham’s resources, squad strength, and winning mentality put them in a prime position to take advantage of a weak Championship and push for promotion straight away.
