Ex-Manchester United director John Murtough appointed at Birmingham City

John Murtough has been appointed director of football at Birmingham City, returning to English football for the first time since his departure from Manchester United in April 2024.

Murtough spent 11 years at Old Trafford across various roles, stepping into the director of football position in 2021. During his tenure he oversaw the appointment of Erik ten Hag as manager in the summer of 2022. He left the club following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a stake in United, with Ratcliffe at the time thanking him for “loyal service over many years” and his “support and integrity during this period of transition.”

Since leaving United, Murtough had been working as Director of Global Development at Atalanta. He has also previously held senior positions at the Premier League, Everton, Fulham, and Coventry City.

At Birmingham, Murtough will take responsibility for the club’s overarching football strategy, spanning the men’s first team, academy, recruitment, performance, data, and football operations. He will work closely with head coach Chris Davies and will also collaborate with Hope Powell to ensure the women’s team benefits from the club’s wider football strategy.

An official club statement described the appointment as “another significant step in Knighthead’s long-term ambition to build a high-performing football organisation capable of competing sustainably at the highest level,” referencing the American ownership group that has been investing heavily in the club on and off the pitch, including plans for a new stadium as part of a large-scale Sports Quarter regeneration project in Birmingham.

The Blues’ board said in the statement: “We have been clear from the outset about our ambition for this club and for the city of Birmingham. We want Birmingham City competing at the highest level of English football and we are building for sustained success, both on and off the pitch.”