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Jonathan White

Hong Kong-owned English Championship side Birmingham City have parted ways with embattled chief executive Ren Xuandong, the club confirmed.
The departure of Ren, who had been the target of fan protests most recently at the club’s final game of the season at Blackburn Rovers last Saturday, was announced in a brief statement on Tuesday.
“Chief executive officer Xuandong Ren has resigned from his position at the club with immediate effect.
“The board would like to place on record their sincere thanks for his service and contribution. The club will be making no further comment at this time.”

BREAKING | CEO of #BCFC Xuandong Ren has resigned as chief executive of the club. pic.twitter.com/4oQYCZLHGc
— Bluenoses (@Bluenoses_) May 11, 2021

The news was greeted with a mix of joy and relief by Blues supporters on social media, who have long opposed Ren and the ruling regime amid relegation battles and financial struggles.
It is understood that Ren has left all of his roles related to Birmingham City, including director of the club and of Birmingham City Stadium Ltd, which owns St Andrew’s, severing the connection that began in the summer of 2017.
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Still, it remains unclear whether Ren, who is known as Dong colloquially, will be directly replaced or the club’s owners, Trillion Trophy Asia, will pick another option.
The Blues Trust supporters’ group issued a statement in response to Ren’s departure, urging caution in finding a replacement.

Club Statement: CEO Xuandong Ren
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) May 11, 2021

“Blues Trust would like to articulate our great relief that Dong Ren has finally resigned as CEO of our club, a sentiment we are sure is shared by most Blues fans,” they said.
“We are certain that coordinated pressure from the supporters – both groups and individuals – has brought this to bear and, like the recent furore over the Super League announcements, demonstrates that fans are still able to exert our influence over the sport for the better.
“Blues Trust now wishes to implore the BCFC board to consider their next appointment extremely carefully.
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“The right candidate should possess the relevant experience in football, and, if not an intimate working knowledge of – and passion for – Birmingham City, then a demonstrated understanding of the game and how it intertwines with local culture and history and people.
“There is an opportunity here, with the right appointment, to reset the relationship with the fans, reset the club’s strategic course for the future, and support [women’s team manager] Carla Ward and [men’s team manager] Lee Bowyer and their teams to strive for the on-field success we all crave.”
Bowyer told the Birmingham Live website that “we have to move on and get things right”. .
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“The first I was aware of it was late yesterday. I was not aware that discussions were going on behind the scenes regarding Dong or any other member of staff.
“That’s a decision they have made and us as a football club, we have to move on.
“I will now look to try to sit in front of the people upstairs and see what the plan is going forward because the most important thing is we get things right.”


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Hong Kong-owned Birmingham City chief executive Ren Xuandong resigns

The club crest of Birmingham City Football Club. The Championship side parted ways with CEO Ren Xuandong after the end of the 2020-21 season. Photo: Shutterstock

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Birmingham City’s club crest. Photo: Shutterstock

Cardboard cutouts of football fans are placed in stands as clubs try to increase revenue and add some atmosphere into the stadiums, on the day of a football match between Birmingham City and Watford at St Andrew's, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Birmingham, Britain, December 12, 2020. REUTERS/Carl Recine SEARCH "RECINE FANS" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

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Cardboard cutouts of fans in the St Andrews stands for Birmingham City against Watford in the Championship in December, 2020. The club has announced the sale of the stadium. Photo: Reuters

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Sport

Football


Blues Trust supporters’ group implores the BCFC board to ‘consider their next appointment extremely carefully’
Club confirm departure in brief statement after ongoing fan protests targeting embattled figurehead



Blues Trust supporters’ group implores the BCFC board to ‘consider their next appointment extremely carefully’.
