The 56-year-old takes over from Craig Gardner, who left St Andrew’s in June, and is due to begin work on Monday following Birmingham’s Championship fixture at Cardiff City.
Murtough spent 11 years at Manchester United, joining the club in 2013 after working with Everton, Fulham, Coventry City and the Premier League. He left Old Trafford in April 2024, having served as United’s football director, and most recently worked for Atalanta as director of global development.
His appointment gives Birmingham an experienced football administrator as the club pursue their ambitions under US ownership. Knighthead Capital Management have made clear that they want the Blues competing at the highest level of English football, with a long-term plan extending beyond the men’s first team.
In a statement reported by BBC Sport, Birmingham confirmed that head coach Chris Davies would report to Murtough, who will answer directly to the club’s board. The new director’s responsibilities will also extend to the women’s team.
Murtough is expected to work with Hope Powell to ensure the women’s side benefits from the club’s wider football strategy. Birmingham finished runners-up in the Women’s Super League in 2011 and 2012, and the appointment creates a direct link between the women’s programme and the club’s overall football leadership.
“This is a great football club with brilliant fans and enormous potential,” Murtough said. “There is a clear determination from Knighthead to build something special for the long term, both on and off the pitch.”
Knighthead’s board statement reinforced that ambition, saying: “We have been clear from the outset about our ambition for this club and for the city of Birmingham.
“We want Birmingham City competing at the highest level of English football and we are building for sustained success, both on and off the pitch.”
The role brings responsibility across the club’s football operation, with Davies reporting to Murtough and the board maintaining direct oversight. His experience at Manchester United and Atalanta will now be put to work in Birmingham, where the ownership group has set its sights on establishing the club among English football’s leading sides.