Birmingham City manager sacked as owners bid to avoid relegation

Birmingham City owners have again sacked the manager as they attempt to save their Championship status in the final weeks of the season.

Steve Cotterill and his backroom staff were sacked after five consecutive league defeats put the club in the relegation zone with 11 games left.

The club is searching for its fifth permanent manager since a takeover less than 18 months ago. Before then, Birmingham’s five previous permanent managers were in place for 15 years.

Birmingham have lost the most games and scored the fewest goals in the whole division and are in danger of returning to the third tier of English football for the first time in 16 years.

In a statement issued within hours of the defeat at Nottingham Forest, the club said it “regretfully confirms” it has sacked Cotterill and six coaches.

Trillion Trophy Asia took over at St Andrews in October 2016, sacking manager Gary Rowett nine games later, despite the club being in 7th position.

Gianfranco Zola won two games out of 24 before resigning in April with the club facing relegation. Harry Redknapp was able to keep the club up, but was sacked in September having been in charge for 13 games.

Steve Cotterill fared little better, winning seven of his 27 games before being sacked this weekend. In total, the new owners have overseen just 18 victories in 76 games.