Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has reportedly been handed a 2-week ultimatum by the club’s ambitious ownership group following a mixed start to the Championship season.
The Blues may have ended their 5-game winless run with a narrow victory over Preston North End on Tuesday, but growing dissatisfaction among the board has left Davies under intense scrutiny.
Chris Davies Has To Turn Things Around
Birmingham’s American ownership, fronted by businessman Tom Wagner, has made no secret of its promotion ambitions. After a summer of high-profile signings including Demarai Gray, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Tommy Doyle, expectations for a top-2 finish were made explicitly clear to players in a recent dressing-room visit.
Even as an optimist I can’t say it’ll all be fine now but tonight was a big step. We have a system that can win at home but tonight we showed a style which can work away. Chris Davies continues to develop. Very positive. #bcfc pic.twitter.com/7DU4HtvKgh
— K (@Kieranbcfc2) October 21, 2025
The club currently sits 12th in the table after 11 matches, trailing league leaders Coventry City by 10 points. Although Tuesday’s 1-0 victory provided temporary relief, sources suggest the hierarchy remains unconvinced that Davies can extract consistent performances from a squad assembled at significant expense.
Davies, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur during the summer, faces a defining run of fixtures before the international break, with clashes against Bristol City, Portsmouth, Millwall, and Middlesbrough set to determine his immediate future. The message from the boardroom is understood to be simple: results must improve now, or change will follow.
Owner Disappointed – Reaction Expected
Wagner, who attended recent matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Wrexham, is said to have been disappointed by the team’s lack of attacking rhythm and defensive organisation.
Despite backing Davies heavily in the transfer market, the Birmingham ownership group is determined to see a tangible return on its investment and has grown increasingly impatient with the club’s mid-table standing.
It is a familiar pressure point for a manager overseeing a side in transition. Birmingham’s recruitment over the past two windows has focused on blending experienced Premier League talent with emerging international names, but cohesion has remained elusive.
Loved that tonight. Chris Davies gets hammered every week for not having a plan B. Well you can’t get more away from his plan A than that, and he deserves the credit for it #bcfc pic.twitter.com/WW8OsQlX2B
— Rob Middleton (@Roberto_1875) October 21, 2025
Internally, Davies is believed to retain support from sections of the dressing room, particularly among players brought in under his tenure. However, senior figures are concerned that inconsistency could derail their push for automatic promotion before Christmas.
If results in the coming fortnight fail to meet expectations, Birmingham’s owners are expected to act swiftly. Wagner’s vision for the club extends beyond short-term results, but his insistence on rapid progress means patience is wearing thin.
For Davies, the challenge is stark: translate ambition into victories or risk becoming the latest managerial casualty of Birmingham’s new era.
