'Chemistry' - not results cost Francis: Blues chairman

Birmingham chairman David Gold has blamed a breakdown in the ‘‘chemistry’’ between the board of directors and Trevor Francis for the departure of the one-time St Andrews hero after five and a half years as manager.

The Blues lie 12th in the Division One table after a poor recent run of form, which ended with a 3-1 win at Barnsley on Saturday.

Gold insisted that poor results were not a factor in Francis leaving the club today by ‘‘mutual consent’’.

But he admitted that the much publicised clashes between Francis and various members of the board - most notably chief executive Karren Brady - had left all parties ‘‘worn out’’.

Gold said: ‘‘It is five and a half years that Trevor has been here and this isn’t a question about results. Trevor’s demise has nothing to do with results.

‘‘We have been loyal over the years. We’ve had down periods where we’ve lost and not won for 10-12 matches and we’ve stood by Trevor throughout.

‘‘I think this is really a question that we’re all worn out with the personalities.

‘‘You can have an argument with your wife and two days later everything is fine, or even a day later and you can do that on a regular basis.

‘‘But once the chemistry goes there is no going back and that’s really what has happened here. We have all worn each other out.

‘‘I think in the best interests of Birmingham City and Trevor Francis, we have done what we think is best for the club.’’

Gold, nevertheless, claimed that it had been a difficult day for him personally to see the end of Francis’ reign after a lunchtime meeting.

He said: ‘‘It was one of the toughest days I’ve had in football and a sad day for Birmingham City and a bad day for me personally because I’ve been a great fan of Trevor over the years.

‘‘But we have parted company amicably. I shook Trevor’s hand and he shook mine and I wished him well for the future but we must now look forward to the future.

‘‘I’ve had meetings with Jim Barron and Mick Mills and we are talking about the Nottingham Forest match on Wednesday and I am assured the players are in good spirits.’’

Gold insisted that Blues had drawn up no plans to look for a successor for Francis.

He said: ‘‘This was a spontaneous decision and we do not have plans at this stage.’’