By Wayne Veysey

12th Oct, 2023 | 3:48pm

Sources: Birmingham City now set sights on ex-Man City transfer chief Mike Rigg

Birmingham City are now targeting former Man City recruitment chief Mike Rigg to be their new sporting director, Football Insider has been told.

The Championship side have made contact with the 53-year-old as they propose a deal to bring him to St Andrew’s.

Rigg is currently the sporting director of Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates after being appointed in October 2022.

Blues CEO Garry Cook is eager to add Rigg to the backroom staff at Birmingham and is personally leading the chase to get a deal over the line.

Cook has previously worked with Rigg during their time together at Manchester City – Rigg was the sporting director at the Etihad Stadium between 2008 and 2012.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (10 October) that Birmingham have set their sights on a new sporting director with current technical director Craig Gardner under pressure to keep his job.

Gardner was appointed as the technical director at St Andrew’s in June 2021 following a stint in the side’s coaching setup.

However, he could be the next major change made by the new Birmingham owners after the announcement of Wayne Rooney as manager this week, which was first revealed by Football Insider a week ago.

New Blues owners Shelby Companies Limited decided to sack John Eustace this week despite Birmingham sitting sixth in the Championship table.

The hierarchy stated Eustace was dismissed because ‘his ambitions didn’t align with those of the club’s hierarchy’.

The Birmingham board now want to follow Rooney’s appointment by hiring a new director who will help to recruit players suitable for his style and philosophy.

In other news, Eustace knew Wayne Rooney was joining Birmingham City months ago