Sunday 4 March 2018 07:34, UK
Steve Cotterill has been sacked by Birmingham after a fifth consecutive league defeat left the club two points adrift of safety in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Blues missed the chance to climb out of the relegation places on Saturday afternoon after suffering a 2-1 defeat away at Nottingham Forest.
Cotterill guided Birmingham to just six league wins out of a possible 24 since replacing Harry Redknapp as manager in September.
The 53-year-old met with the club's directors on Saturday evening to agree a deal to terminate his contact at St Andrew's.
Birmingham confirmed Cotterill's departure in a statement which read: "The club regretfully confirms that it has this evening parted company with manager Steve Cotterill.
"Steve's contract, and those of the backroom staff - First Team Coach Paul Groves, First Team Coach Paul Williams, Goalkeeper Coach Kevin Hitchcock, Director of Football Jeff Vetere, David Álvarez (Head of Sports Science and Medical) and Albert Altarriba-Bartés (First Team Strength and Conditioning Coach) - have been terminated with immediate effect.
"This course of action is taken with great regret and sadness.
"The Board would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Steve, not only for his significant contribution at the conclusion of last season for which we will remain grateful, but also for his genuine efforts, contribution and hard work during his tenure in this 2017/18 campaign.
"Steve has conducted himself professionally on behalf of the club at all times, his work ethic and honesty are a credit to him and there is a genuine sadness at this decision.
"However, the Board feel that a change in management at this stage is in the best interests of the football club.
"We sincerely thank Steve and all the exiting backroom staff for their efforts and wish them all the very best for the future.
"A replacement manager and backroom staff will be confirmed in due course."
Cotterill leaves the club just five months after taking charge and becomes the third Blues manager to lose his job since Gary Rowett's surprise departure in December 2016.
Former Swansea, Leeds and Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk is the bookmakers' early favourite to replace Cotterill at St Andrew's.
