Sunday 18 December 2016 16:53, UK
Former Birmingham manager Gary Rowett says he is 'disappointed' by his exit from St Andrew's, after leaving the club on Wednesday.
The 42-year-old's departure surprised many observers with the Blues sitting seventh in the Sky Bet Championship.
Rowett, who made 86 appearances in the Blues defence between 1998 and 2000, left Burton Albion in 2014 to take the Birmingham job, and he believes he was unable to complete his plan.
"I am extremely disappointed that my time as manager of Birmingham City has come to an end, especially as I felt we were only half-way through the project and I strongly believed we were on course to achieve our objectives," Rowett said.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players, fans and everyone at the club for their support and hard work during my time at Birmingham City.
"I wish them well for the future and look forward to my next challenge in the game."
Birmingham replaced Rowett with former Chelsea forward Gianfranco Zola, who lost his first match in charge at home to Brighton on Saturday.
