Harry Redknapp sacked by Birmingham City

Harry Redknapp was sacked by Birmingham City on Saturday after they suffered a sixth straight loss in all competitions.

The Blues went down 3-1 against Preston North End on home soil, a setback that left the St Andrews side sitting second from bottom in the Championship table.

Former Tottenham and Portsmouth boss Redknapp told the press immediately after the defeat that he had strong motivation to turn things around for the club this season, but the Birmingham board soon released a statement to confirm that would not be happening.

“Unfortunately due to the poor start to the campaign which sees the club second from bottom of the Championship, we are left with no choice but to terminate the contract of the manager with immediate effect,” said the Birmingham City statement.

“We thank him for all his efforts and wish him good luck for the future. There will be no further comment at this time.”

Redknapp, 70, took charge of the club with three games remaining last term, winning the final two to avoid relegation from the Championship on the final day of the season.

Redknapp was brought in to replace Gianfranco Zola in April and initially worked without payment before signing a one-year contract with the club in the summer.

Birmingham signed 14 players during the summer transfer window but they have since lost six of their first eight games in the Championship, leaving them above only promoted Bolton Wanderers.

Former Blues midfielder Lee Carsley, who was previously head coach at Brentford on an interim basis in 2015, has been placed in temporary charge of the first-team at Birmingham.