Lee Clark sacked by beleagured Birmingham City

West Midlands Championship outfit, Birmingham City, 13/8 with Coral to be relegated, have parted company with manager Lee Clark and his assistant Steve Watson, recording 33 wins in 116 matches.

Birmingham have endured a string of poor results this season, and sit just one point above the drop zone in England’s second tier, in 21st position above Fulham, Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool.

The club, however, have been working on a tight budget ever since former president Carson Yeung was jailed for money laundering, and boss Clark has had his hands tied in the transfer market, with very little money available for strengthening.

During his spell at Huddersfield Town, Clark set a Football League record of 43 matches unbeaten between 2010 and 2010.

First-team coach Richard Beale and chief scout Malcolm Crosby have taken over temporarily in a caretaker capacity, with the search for a new permanent boss said to be already underway. Their latest result, a 1-0 home defeat by Bolton, appears to have been the decisive factor, in the board moving to make a decision on Clark’s future at the club.

Clark said following the match: “I thought we were worth something today. We gave a really poor goal away from a set play, when so many games at every level are decided by set-pieces. I’m frustrated.”

The club released the following statement, immediately after breaking the news: “Birmingham City Football Club has parted company with Lee Clark and Steve Watson with immediate effect.

“The search for a successor has already begun. The board will look to make an appointment in the very near future.”

Birmingham have picked up just six out of a possible 24 points in their last eight Championship matches. Burton Albion boss Gary Rowett is the 4/1 favourite to take over and old boss Chris Houghton also available at 6/1. while former West Bromwich Albion head coach Steve Clarke is at 10/1.