New role on radar for Birmingham City star, West Brom shareholders ‘furious’, Coventry promotion verdict made

This rollercoaster 2022/23 Championship season is almost over, and at the weekend we will see whether Coventry or Luton Town will gain promotion to the Premier League to join Burnley and Sheffield United.

As we prepare for the final fixtures across the pyramid before the transfer window opens, here is the latest roundup of Championship news including Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion updates.

Coaching role on the radar for Troy Deeney

Troy Deeney is set to leave Birmingham next month when his current contract comes to an end. According to The Athletic, Watford have held talks with the striker over bringing him back in some capacity, but not in a playing role.

Deeney turns 35 this year and despite his wish to continue playing, he could be headed for a coaching position once he leaves the Blues.

“Everyone knows this is Troy’s home. Some time in the future he will surely return to his club in some form of a coaching role, but we are not looking to bring Troy back now as a player,” Watford Technical Director Ben Manga said.

West Brom shareholders furious with majority owners

Shareholders For Albion (SFA), who own a 12 percent stake in West Brom, have been left reeling after the club’s majority owners refused to answer any questions submitted regarding finances.

The Daily Mail has reported that SFA wrote to Albion director Xu Ke with concerns over the future of the club. However, despite a total of 38 questions being submitted, he has avoided the opportunity to address the matters at hand.

West Brom owner Lai Guochuan withdrew £7 million from the club in ‘Covid relief loans’ to put into his other businesses, but has failed to meet several repayment deadline dates. He also assured he would settle a £5 million debt inherited from the previous ownership, but failed to do this too.

Jamie O’Hara makes Coventry play-off prediction

Coventry have just one hurdle left to cross in their mission to play in the Premier League next season. It all boils down to their clash against Luton Town on Saturday, which will leave one team heartbroken, and one headed for the top flight. Jamie O’Hara has weighed in on the occasion and given his prediction.

“This is an unbelievable game, it really is. An incredible feat for both teams considering where they’ve been and how low they’ve been down the pyramid and the turmoil they’ve gone through the last decade,” he told Football League World.

“It’s so hard to call, it really is a 50/50 match. Luton Town, at home, it’s a fortress, can they do it at Wembley? That’s going to be the big ask.

“Watching them in the semi-final at home, they just were so fit, so powerful, strong, they were direct, winning second balls. If they’ve got the mentality to play the way they do at home, I think Luton will go up.”