CHRIS HUGHTON WILL take over as manager of Birmingham City following the recent departure of Alex McLeish, it has been confrmed.
Ex-Ireland international Hughton makes his return to football after he was sacked by Newcastle last December - a decision which was widely ridiculed by pundits and supporters of the club at the time.
Following spells as assistant manager for Tottenham and Ireland, Hughton took over as Newcastle boss and gained promotion to the Premier League in his first season in charge of the club.
He was then sacked by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley halfway through the following season, despite guiding the club to a mid-table position.
Hughton, who reportedly secured the post ahead of ex-West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo, was praised by Birmingham chairman Peter Pannu in a statement.
“Pannu was particularly impressed by Hughton’s vision and footballing theories of garnering youth and playing attractive and effective football.”
It is the first managerial appointment made at the club since club owner Carson Yeung took over in 2009.
