The 2025/26 EFL Championship season is shaping up to be a theatre of contrasting fortunes and compelling narratives. At one end of the spectrum, a resurgent Birmingham City, flush with investment and momentum, aims for a swift return to the Premier League. At the other, the fairytale story of Wrexham AFC faces its most brutal test yet: survival in one of football's most unforgiving leagues. Weaving through these stories is the influence of coaching philosophies like that of Rory Delap, a man who has successfully transitioned from a specialist player to a proven tactical mind, embodying the principles required to succeed in this division.
The Delap Doctrine: From “Human Sling” to Tactical Architect
Rory Delap's name was once synonymous with one thing: a long throw of such power and accuracy it was considered a more potent weapon than a corner kick. However, his post-playing career reveals a coach of far greater depth. Having cut his teeth in Derby County's academy, where he led the U21s to a league title, Delap has built a reputation based on structure, discipline, and hard work.
His five-year tenure as a first-team coach at Stoke City saw him move beyond the set-piece specialist tag, playing a key role in developing talents like Nathan Collins and Harry Souttar. More recently, his successful stint as assistant to Robbie Keane at Maccabi Tel Aviv—where they secured the Israeli Premier League title and reached the last 16 of the European Conference League—has solidified his credentials. Delap's coaching ethos, favouring “structured tactical sessions” and an unwavering belief in hard work, is precisely the kind of foundation that teams need to navigate the 9-month marathon of a Championship season. He has proven he is more than his playing legacy; he is a developer of talent and a contributor to winning cultures.
Birmingham City's Premier League Dream: Can Momentum and Money Seal the Deal?
After dropping into League One, Birmingham City responded not with a whimper, but with a roar. They stormed back into the Championship for the 2025/26 season, winning the title with a record-breaking 111 points under the astute management of Chris Davies. Now, the ambition is clear: make this a brief stopover on the way back to the Premier League.
Backed by the ambitious Knighthead Capital ownership group and co-owner Tom Brady, the club has invested significantly. The acquisitions of prolific goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi and German international Marvin Ducksch signal a clear statement of intent. They join a squad already bolstered with proven quality, aiming to emulate the back-to-back promotion success recently achieved by Ipswich Town. While their dominant 2024/25 campaign, detailed on platforms like FBref.com, was built on a possession-heavy style, the key question is how this will adapt to the higher intensity and quality of the Championship. Pundits are cautiously optimistic, predicting a top-six finish, but the St Andrew's faithful are dreaming of more.
Welcome to Wrexham's Toughest Challenge: The Great Escape
The Wrexham AFC story under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has been nothing short of a Hollywood script. Three consecutive promotions have catapulted the Welsh club from the National League back to the second tier for the first time in 43 years. The romance, however, is now meeting the harsh reality of the Championship.
The primary objective for Wrexham this season is not another trophy, but survival. Supercomputer predictions suggest a tough fight, placing them 21st, just above the relegation zone. This analysis, often covered by major outlets like Sky Sports, highlights the monumental task ahead. The club faces a huge financial disparity against seasoned Championship sides; their opening day fixture against Southampton, for example, pitted their £24.8 million squad value against a team worth over £175 million. While Wrexham's spirit is undeniable, this season will test whether heart and momentum can overcome the cold, hard economics of modern football. Their battle is to consolidate, build, and prove they belong at this level.
A Season of Contrasting Destinies
The 2025/26 Championship presents a fascinating study in ambition, strategy, and survival. Can Birmingham City's financial power and attacking flair conquer the division? Will Wrexham's incredible momentum be enough to keep them afloat in treacherous waters? These questions underscore the brutal but beautiful nature of the league. The vast differences in club resources and expectations, easily viewed on football data sites like Transfermarkt, set the stage for a season of drama.
As the season unfolds, the trajectories of these two clubs will provide a compelling spectacle. For Birmingham, success is measured by a promotion charge. For Wrexham, success is staying in the fight. Both are valid, both are difficult, and both will make for unmissable football.
