Birmingham City's preparation for the coming season is in turmoil, with the atmosphere between the owners and the manager Garry Monk at an all time low, with a major factor being the sale of Jota to Aston Villa earlier this month, which went against Monk's wishes, according to a report in The Telegraph.

Monk kept the Blues in the Championship last season, this despite a nine point deduction for breaking financial regulations and severe restrictions placed on his transfer activity by the owners.

So were the Birmingham owners right to go against Monk’s wish to keep Jota?

We discuss........

Louie Chandler

"Absolutely not.

"As soon as you start consciously going against the wishes of your manager, the relationship does not have long left.

"Monk worked wonders last season and deserves so much more respect from the powers that be at St. Andrews on all matters related to transfers.

"I personally don't think it was a bad deal but that is irrelevant really."

Kealan Hughes

“Absolutely not, owners undermining their manager like this makes his position untenable.

“Jota was a key player for Monk and the fact they’ve seemingly let him go without consulting the manager is unforgivable.

“Added to that, the apparent finances involved don’t seem to warrant the decision. It is a reported £2m fee plus Gardner - a player of Jota’s quality should attract a higher fee in order to allow the club to bring in a quality replacement.”

Gary Hutchinson

“No, they weren’t, it just sounds a mess.

“If the manager wants to keep a player then that should be that.

“I understand there are issues but Monk worked under a tight budget last season and did well.

“He deserves more respect than he’s been shown.”