JACQUES IN BOX WINGER EARNS HIS DEAL
JACQUES Maghoma thoroughly deserved a new deal after spearheading Birmingham’s revival, according to his manager, Steve Cotterill.
The winger, a key part of a run in which the Blues have lost just two Championship matches since Boxing Day, put pen to paper on a new two-andhalf year deal, keeping him at the club until 2020.
Cotterill revealed the 30year-old wanted a fresh deal, rather than triggering an extension on his previous contract. He was able to negotiate a wage increase after good recent form.
He said: “I’m pleased for Jacques. He deserved his new contract and we’re really pleased we got it sorted out.
“The negotiations went on a bit longer than we thought they would, but all in all it was a happy ending all round.
“We had an option on his contract, but perhaps the option didn’t take him to the financial realms he wanted to be in.
“The club were very good at looking at that and got into negotiations.
“It was something the club and Jacques’ people were very happy with.”
The Blues boss, who also confirmed there was a relegation release clause written into the wide man’s contract, explained his decision to give Maghoma more freedom down the flank.
He said: “I’ve tried to get him to run forward more and get him a position where he can affect the game as a winger, as opposed to a right or leftback.
“You can kill off wingers sometimes. I’d rather three of our boys be higher up the pitch, rather than one or two.”
Meanwhile, club captain Paul Robinson has announced his intention to hang up his boots after 22 years in the game.
The 39-year-old will retire from playing at the end of the season.