Birmingham City’s Championship rivals ‘in talks’ with ex-Blue for player/coach role as Watford reunion planned

Birmingham City could be coming up against one of their former players both on the pitch and in the dugout next season, according to reports.

The Daily Mail claim that newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday are ‘in talks’ with veteran striker Troy Deeney about moving to Hillsborough in a dual player and coach role ahead of the new EFL Championship season. The 35-year old left St Andrew’s last month when his contract with the Blues expired following a two-year stint where he scored 11 goals in 56 appearances.

Deeney had previously spent 12 seasons at Watford which is where he worked under new Owls head coach Xisco Muñoz. The Spaniard was recently appointed as Wednesday’s new manager following the surprise departure of Darren Moore last month and appears to be targeting a reunion with his former player.

The Birmingham-born striker made 33 appearances for his boyhood club last season which saw him hit the back of the net seven times, all in the Championship. Throughout his career, the majority of which was spent at the Hornets where he is very much regarded as a club icon, he has scored over 200 goals with the majority coming in the Championship and the Premier League.

Sheffield Wednesday gained promotion to the second tier when they beat Barnsley 1-0 in the League One play-off final at the end of last season. Josh Windass scored the only goal in extra time stoppage time to secure a dramatic promotion back to the Championship for the Owls.

The Blues will line up against Wednesday, potentially with Deeney as part of their staff, on November 25 when they visit St Andrew’s. The return leg of the fixture at Hillsborough will take place on February 10. Both clubs are predicted by most to be battling at the wrong end of the table this coming season so these matches could prove to be crucial fixtures for both.