Birmingham City CEO Garry Cook explains Tom Wagner ambition and American takeover detail

Garry Cook admits he isn’t surprised by the influx of American investment in EFL clubs ahead of Monday’s blockbuster clash between Birmingham City and Wrexham.

The clash between two of League One’s promotion contenders will be followed by people across the Atlantic, in addition to thousands in the UK, largely because of the names in the respective boardrooms. Blues owners Knighthead have brought seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady on board, while Wrexham are owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Almost half of Premier League clubs are American-owned and that trend is filtering down to the EFL. Cook puts it down to the smaller cost of acquiring a club outside the Premier League and the gravitas of English football.

The Blues CEO told Football Focus: “It’s a relatively inexpensive entry point but it has such a different emotional connection. On Monday, the world will watch Birmingham City versus Wrexham in League One.

“On one side of the directors’ box will be Tom Brady, and on the other side will be Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. That’s what’s lovely about the game. In 1992, all the media rights changed and now the world watches football and fortunately for us it watches English football.”

Tom Wagner has outlined his ambition to reach the Premier League – and stay there – in the not-too-distant future. Blues have spent in excess of £20m, including the club-record signing of Jay Stansfield, during the summer months to ensure their stay in the third tier is a short one.

Cook added: “When we first walked in here, in July of last year, it was broken. We’ve rebuilt the stadium, we have increased the fan experience. We took on 47 projects here, probably too many if I’m honest.

“We all know what the ambition is. We’ve got to get to the highest level as quickly as we possibly can because Tom Wagner’s ambition is never short of reminding us what the expectation might be.”