Potential Departure of Tom Brady and Birmingham Could Eclipse Wrexham's Championship Challenge, Causing a Surprising Stir
Birmingham City and Wrexham, two exciting football clubs with North American ownership and ambitious plans, are set to make their mark in the 2025/26 EFL Championship.
After a one-season stint in League One, Birmingham City has returned to the Championship with a bang. The club, under the guidance of manager Chris Davies, who is considered a switched-on and accomplished tactician, has delivered an assured style of play in their opening match against Ipswich Town [1][3].
The club has made several significant signings, including German international Marvin Ducksch, a player with 55 Bundesliga goal involvements over recent seasons, and returning Premier League title winner Demarai Gray [2]. These experienced additions complement their already talented squad, which impressively set records in League One.
Birmingham City's squad exhibits strong financial backing and alignment from the boardroom to coaching, which supports sustained competitive ambition beyond merely surviving in the Championship [4].
On the other hand, Wrexham, newly promoted to the Championship, face the challenge of acclimatizing to a higher level of competition in their debut season. While Wrexham have promising American striker talent aiming to impress in the league, their lack of recent Championship-level experience and squad depth makes them less certain candidates for immediate contention compared to Birmingham City [2].
Expert season previews suggest Birmingham City’s squad was assembled with the Championship step-up in mind ("sign for where you aim to be"), giving them a more ready footing than some promoted teams. They are expected to adapt well and potentially challenge for significant standings rather than just mid-table safety [4]. This contrasts with Wrexham, who must prove they can cope with Championship demands for the first time.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this season will be the burgeoning rivalry on the field between the two clubs, but they are like-minded upstarts behind the scenes. Both clubs are looking to build their growth on investment in infrastructure as well as in the transfer market [5].
NFL legend Tom Brady has commented on Birmingham City, stating they are "trying to make Birmingham City a world-class team," but it remains to be seen if this will indeed be the case [6]. However, with the club's recent strategic signings and stable management, Birmingham City is certainly positioning themselves as strong contenders in the 2025/26 EFL Championship, with a squad built for higher-level competition and ambitions of a Premier League return.
Meanwhile, Wrexham, with co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, will be looking to build on their recent successes and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Championship. The Welsh club's second promotion in a row has set them up for an exciting challenge in the higher echelons of English football.
In conclusion, the 2025/26 EFL Championship promises to be an exciting season, with Birmingham City and Wrexham set to captivate audiences with their ambitious plans and competitive spirit. While Wrexham's status as newcomers gives them more uncertainty, Birmingham City's recent strategic signings and stable management underpin strong chances of competing for promotion or at least a top-tier Championship performance.
[1] Birmingham City's opening match against Ipswich Town [2] Birmingham City's signings and squad [3] Chris Davies, Birmingham City's manager [4] Expert season previews for Birmingham City and Wrexham [5] Investment in infrastructure and transfer market [6] Tom Brady's comments on Birmingham City
Birmingham City's ambitions extend beyond the EFL Championship, as they aim to compete in European leagues, considering their focus on signing experienced players like Marvin Ducksch and Demarai Gray.
On the other hand, Wrexham, although promoting to the Championship for the first time, also exhibits its sights on the European leagues, as reflected in their co-owners' ambitious plans and their focus on building infrastructure in the club.
