Birmingham does not have strong leadership in the same way as rival cities such as Manchester, the Minister in charge of local government has suggested.
David Miliband said Birmingham would benefit from a directly elected mayor, as he prepared to launch a report on the state of English cities.
Mr Miliband highlighted the strong leadership of Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council, and contrasted it unfavourably with Birmingham.
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He said: "You can't say to Richard Leese in Manchester that he is not providing strong leadership.
"However, if you ask me does Birmingham have something to learn from the London experience - would Birmingham be a stronger place with an elected mayor - I would say yes."
He added: "Every city needs strong leadership.
"It needs to come from the political class, but it needs to come from the business and voluntary sector too."
The study published today highlights Manchester's success in forming partnerships with neighbouring authorities.
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Mr Miliband is to publish a White Paper on local government before the end of July, which may recommend the creation of city regions across the country.
But he said this would not mean large cities such as Birmingham dominating their neighbours.
"It doesn't mean that Wolverhampton becomes part of greater Birmingham.
"It is about the inter-dependence of our towns and smaller cities with the larger ones, not a takeover."
The report was produced by Prof Michael Parkinson, from the European Institute of Urban Affairs at Liverpool John Moores University.
Prof Parkinson said: "Manchester is an example of a city region that had grown up, which has learned to settle its differences and the local authority has not thrown its weight around."
Mr Miliband kicked off the debate about an elected mayor last year when he visited Birmingham for a "no holds barred" summit with council and business leaders on how the region is run.
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At the Labour Party Conference last September, Tony Blair revealed the Government would publish "a new and ambitious blueprint" for local government this year. A White Paper is expected in the summer.
And last month a think-tank with close links to the Labour Party recommended the creation of a "Greater Birmingham" region with its own mayor and a budget of £675 million.