Steve Cotterill targeting Premier League with Birmingham after taking charge of beleaguered Blues

Birmingham are third-bottom of the Championship table heading into a two-week international break that Cotterill wants to make the most of

Monday 02 October 2017 10:28 EDT
Comments
Steve Cotterill is targeting the Premier League after taking charge of the third-bottom Blues
Steve Cotterill is targeting the Premier League after taking charge of the third-bottom Blues (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Steve Cotterill is targeting promotion with Birmingham but knows he has work to do if he is to guide the rock-bottom Blues back to the Promised Land.

The 53-year-old was appointed on Friday replacing Harry Redknapp on a two-and-a-half-year contract and watched from the stands the following day as his side were thrashed 6-1 at Hull.

That result left Birmingham third-bottom of the Championship table heading into a two-week international break that Cotterill wants to make the most of.

"For this club the Premier League is everything. It is a Premier League club," he said. "The people who work here are Premier League. We have Premier League supporters and a Premier League fanbase. And we have to make sure we do our best to get back up there.

"But that is a long-term plan. The short-term plan is to get away from a relegation zone. There has to be a short-term plan for every long-term plan. My priority is to get on the training ground with the players. That is where I want to be.

"I want to get to know the lads. I only had about a month with them last season. It takes a long time to get the ingredients for a person and work out what makes them tick.

"They will have a manager who will be strong, but a manager who will be strongly behind them."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in