“It’s not going to be an overnight fix, But I definitely see them, with the new owners, being back in the Premier League one day”- Jermaine Pennant backs Tom Wagner to take Blues back to Premier League on two conditions

Former Birmingham City winger Jermaine Pennant says planning and recruitment are key if the club’s owners are to guide them back to the Premier League.

The 41-year-old is impressed with the work of Tom Wagner and his Knighthead colleagues so far and says the Blues have the capability of ending their 13-year exile from the top flight. Albeit he underlined that this may not be “an overnight fix”.

The club last played in the Premier League during the 2010/11 season and were relegated to the third tier for the first time in 29 years in May. Wagner doubled down on his commitment to the Blues upon their demotion, insisting: “Our dedication to the betterment of this wonderful club transcends this unfortunate outcome.”

He added: “As we chart a course forward, fuelled by your passion and support, rest assured that our plans for the uplifting transformation of the Blues remain steadfastly in place.” Blueprints for a new stadium have since been tabled and the club have started the season well.

They have lost just one of their 12 League One matches and sit top of the table by three points and their FA Cup campaign kicks off on Friday with a trip to non-league Sutton United. While fans may hope for a cup run, it is clear where the club’s priority lies this season.

Pennant is certain the Blues will make a quick return to the Championship and believes Wagner and co-owner Tom Brady can potentially guide them back to the big time. To do this, the former Birmingham man set out several objectives they must meet in order to give themselves a fighting chance.

“It’s a massive club. The new owners, Tom Brady and the American boys, have come in and they’re not scared to back the team – especially in the transfer market and looking at a new stadium,” he told BirminghamLive.

“They’re looking to revamp Birmingham City and there is no reason why – if they stay on plan and [have] the right recruitment – that they cannot someday get back in the Premier League.”

The former winger, who played 60 games for the Blues between January 2005 and July 2006, added: “I think 100 per cent they will come out of League One and get back in the Championship. And then they need to recruit players who can then get them out of the Championship once they get there.

“It’s not going to be an overnight fix, it’s definitely a long term project. But I definitely see, with the new owners, the Blues being back in the Premier League one day.”