Juninho Bacuna sends message to Birmingham City supporters after relegation to League One | OneFootball

The Blues were condemned to a place in the third tier despite earning victory over Norwich City on the final day of the season.

A 55th-minute goal from Paik Seung-ho meant that Gary Rowett’s side did everything in their power to overcome the gap to the sides ahead.

However, wins for Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth Argyle and Blackburn Rovers meant that there was nothing Birmingham could do on the final day to avoid the drop.

Next season will be the first time the Midlands outfit competes in the third tier since 1995 and their first time in the division since it was renamed to League One.

Bacuna issues Birmingham message following relegation

Bacuna has spoken out for the first time since the club’s relegation was confirmed last Saturday.

He has issued an apology to the team and its fans, but claimed that Birmingham will work hard to ensure they come back to the Championship soon.

“Apologies to everyone associated with the club, Birmingham City and the fans,” said Bacuna, via his personal Instagram account.

“This wasn’t a season we expected or hoped for.

“You guys stood behind us and we let you down, got no words for it.

“But one thing is for sure, the club will be back where it belongs.

“Trust the process.”

The Blues endured a difficult campaign, with the team struggling to maintain its competitiveness following John Eustace’s dismissal in October.

The now Blackburn Rovers manager had the team sitting sixth in the Championship table when he was let go during the second international break of the season.

Wayne Rooney proved a disastrous appointment as his replacement, overseeing just 15 games in charge before being replaced.

The 38-year-old won two of his 15 fixtures, before being replaced by Tony Mowbray.

Mowbray missed a large part of the second half of the season due to a leave of absence through illness, leading to Rowett’s return as manager.

Rowett is expected to depart now that the season is over having been brought in until the end of the term.

Birmingham will now be planning for life in League One for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The Midlands club finished 22nd in the table, one point adrift of safety, having won only 13 of their 46 games.

Bacuna played in 45 of those games, contributing seven goals and six assists from 31 starts (all stats from Fbref).

Birmingham relegation a disaster for new owners

The decision to sack Eustace in October is one that the new owners at Birmingham will likely regret for some time.

It was the start of a downward spiral that the team was unable to get away from, which ultimately cost them their place in the second division.

Birmingham should have the resources and players to come straight back up next year, but this is still a huge setback for the new owners.

They have made a poor first impression with supporters, and will now have to invest further in ensuring they quickly make their way back to the Championship next year.