Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner is recovering from a stroke and has stepped back from his daily responsibilities with the Championship club, , the club announced. The 56-year-old American, who assumed control of Birmingham in , is reportedly making a good recovery following rapid medical intervention.
Birmingham City issued a statement outlining Wagner’s condition and recovery. “Thanks to rapid medical intervention, he received immediate treatment and is now receiving excellent care. We are pleased to share that he is making a good recovery,” the statement read. “Tom remains closely connected to the club and we all look forward to welcoming him back.”
The club emphasized that Wagner’s commitment to Birmingham City, and the Knighthead team as a whole, remains unchanged. “Birmingham City Football Club is incredibly important to Tom and to the entire Knighthead team. Their commitment to the club is unchanged, and our plans and operations continue as normal under strong leadership,” the statement continued.
Wagner, through SCL, a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management, initially acquired a 45.98% stake in Birmingham in , increasing that share to 96.64% last November. Shortly after increasing his stake, the club announced plans to construct a new 62,000-seat stadium.
Birmingham City achieved promotion back to the Championship last season under Wagner’s ownership, and he has publicly expressed ambitions of guiding the club to the Premier League for the first time since . Currently, the Blues sit 10th in the Championship table, just one point outside of the playoff positions.
The news of Wagner’s stroke comes ahead of Birmingham City’s FA Cup fifth-round match against Leeds United on . A message displayed on the big screen at the game reads: ‘Get Well Soon, Tom – Keep Right On’.
Wagner’s arrival at Birmingham City marked a significant shift for the club, and his vision for its future has generated considerable excitement among supporters. The club’s statement aims to reassure fans that despite Wagner’s temporary absence, the long-term plans for Birmingham City remain firmly in place.
Details regarding the extent of Wagner’s responsibilities during his recovery period have not been disclosed, but the club has affirmed that operations will continue uninterrupted under existing leadership. The focus now shifts to supporting Wagner’s recovery and maintaining the momentum built under his ownership.
