so sad to say goodbye: Birmingham City announces the termination of Ivan Sunjic due to his……
Ivan Sunjic’s career with Birmingham City came to an end over the weekend. In a move that was widely expected, Sunjic will not be part of the team as they compete in League One next season.
Sunjic is one of five senior players leaving the club after their contracts expired, joining Neil Etheridge, Marc Roberts, Gary Gardner, and Scott Hogan in departure. While the other four were sidelined for much of the last season, Sunjic remained a key figure in the midfield, making 40 appearances and bringing his total to 173 over five years. Notably, he spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Hertha Berlin, a period marred by the team’s relegation and criticism from his coach.
His challenging stint in Germany might have influenced his decision to stay at Birmingham last summer, or it could have been the strategy laid out by then-head coach John Eustace. Eustace planned to pair Sunjic with Krystian Bielik in a 4-2-3-1 formation, leveraging Sunjic’s stamina and Bielik’s aerial prowess. This duo was instrumental in Birmingham’s unbeaten streak in the first five games, achieving notable victories over Leeds United, Bristol City, and Plymouth Argyle. However, after Eustace was sacked in October, the team’s tactics changed under Wayne Rooney, who placed Sunjic in an uncomfortable role on the right of a midfield three.
In a rare interview with BirminghamLive, Sunjic reflected on his position under Eustace, expressing confidence in his role as a defensive midfielder. He contrasted this with his less effective positioning under previous manager Aitor Karanka, emphasizing that his partnership with Bielik allowed the team to thrive early in the season.
Rooney’s tactical overhaul disrupted this stability, requiring Sunjic and others to play in unfamiliar styles. Despite his strengths in ball-winning and defense, Sunjic struggled with the possession-based approach Rooney favored. Nevertheless, Sunjic’s professionalism shone through, earning praise from subsequent managers Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett for his commitment and performance, even as he knew his future lay elsewhere.
Sunjic’s emotional reaction to his final goal for Birmingham against Coventry City will be a lasting memory for fans. While his tenure might not have lived up to the expectations set by his £6 million transfer fee in 2019, Sunjic’s dedication on the field earned him respect, even if his potential was only sporadically realized due to inconsistent managerial use of his skills.
