Birmingham City faces setback in their search for a Director of Football as Knighthead continues the hunt.

Birmingham City’s pursuit of a new Director of Football has suffered a setback after a leading candidate reportedly ruled himself out of the running. The club remains in the process of identifying a successor to Craig Gardner, who recently stepped away from his recruitment responsibilities after serving in a senior football operations role for five years.

According to reports, Middlesbrough’s head of football, Kieran Scott, is not interested in leaving the Riverside Stadium and has no plans to take up the vacancy at St Andrew’s. Birmingham have been actively searching for a replacement following Gardner’s departure earlier this month, but their efforts appear to have hit an obstacle with Scott choosing to remain committed to his current position.

Gardner held a significant role within Birmingham City’s football structure. After initially joining the club as technical director in 2021, the former midfielder became a key figure behind the scenes, overseeing recruitment, football operations and transfer business. His influence stretched across several areas of the club’s sporting strategy, making his departure an important change for the hierarchy.

With Gardner gone, Birmingham’s ownership group has already begun the process of finding a suitable replacement. The search is said to be progressing, with several experienced football executives linked to the role. Scott emerged as one of the names under consideration because of the impressive reputation he has built during his time at Middlesbrough.

However, reports from the Northern Echo indicate that Scott has no desire to move away from Teesside. Despite attracting interest from both Birmingham City and newly promoted Premier League side West Ham United, the highly regarded football executive is expected to remain at Middlesbrough.

The report claims Scott’s focus is entirely on preparing Middlesbrough for the upcoming campaign. Following a painful end to last season, the club is determined to regroup and launch another promotion challenge. Boro suffered disappointment in the play-off final, where they were beaten by Hull City, ending their hopes of securing a return to the Premier League.

As a result, Scott is reportedly concentrating on squad planning and recruitment ahead of the new season. Middlesbrough are expected to be among the leading contenders for promotion once again, and the club views continuity behind the scenes as an important factor in achieving that objective.

Since arriving from Norwich City in 2021, Scott has earned widespread praise for his work in the transfer market. His recruitment strategy has played a major role in Middlesbrough’s ability to identify talented players, develop them and eventually generate significant profits through player sales.

Several transfers have highlighted his success. Players such as Morgan Rogers, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Rav van den Berg and Finn Azaz have all either enhanced their reputations significantly or generated strong financial returns for the club. These deals have strengthened Scott’s standing within football circles and made him an attractive option for clubs looking to modernise their recruitment structures.

Birmingham’s interest in Scott therefore came as little surprise. The club is seeking an experienced figure capable of overseeing recruitment and helping shape a long-term football vision under the ownership of Knighthead Capital. Bringing in a respected sporting executive is viewed as a crucial step as Birmingham look to continue their ambitious rebuilding project.

Although Scott now appears unlikely to make the move, Birmingham still have several alternative candidates under consideration. Two of the most notable names linked with the position are Dan Ashworth and Kristjaan Speakman.

Ashworth is regarded as one of the most experienced football executives in the English game. Throughout his career he has held influential roles with the Football Association, Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United. His reputation for developing football structures and long-term planning has made him one of the most respected sporting directors in the country.

At present, Ashworth is involved with the England national team during the World Cup, but speculation regarding his future continues. His extensive experience and proven track record make him an appealing option for any club seeking leadership at executive level.

Another candidate who has attracted considerable attention is Kristjaan Speakman. The Sunderland sporting director previously worked at Birmingham City and remains closely associated with the club because of his contributions during his earlier spell.

Speakman served as academy manager before leaving for Sunderland nearly six years ago. During his time at Birmingham, he helped oversee the development of several talented young players who would later establish successful professional careers.

Among those who progressed through the system during his involvement were Jude Bellingham, Jack Butland, Nathan Redmond, Demarai Gray, Jordan James and Jobe Bellingham. His work in youth development and talent identification has enhanced his reputation and made him a respected figure within football administration.

As Birmingham continue their search, the appointment of a new Director of Football remains a key priority. While the apparent rejection from Scott represents a disappointment, the club’s recruitment process remains active. With high-profile names still being linked to the position, Knighthead and the Birmingham hierarchy will be hoping to secure a candidate capable of driving the club forward and helping deliver long-term success both on and off the pitch.