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Birmingham City: battle of the gaffer’s

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Rob Wildey looks at the fortunes of Blues’ recent managers and decides who was the most successful in the dugout.

ALEX MCLEISH

McLeish took over at St. Andrews with Blues in a relegation scrap. Although he didn`t manage to steer the club to safety, he did bring them back at the first time of asking. The Scot then led Blues to a 9th place finish – Blues` highest league finish since 1959.

The following season, Blues failed to progress on the pitch. The infamous Carling Cup final victory over Arsenal at Wembley was followed by relegation back to the Championship. McLeish then resigned from his role via email. He took over at Aston Villa just weeks later.

High: Promotion in 2009
High: Led Blues to their highest position since 1959
High: Carling Cup winners in 2011
Low: Relegation in 2011
Low: Resigning before joining Villa

SCORE – 7/10

CHRIS HUGHTON

After McLeish`s exit, former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton took over the reins. The brand of football adopted under Hughton was a refreshing change. Watching Blues going out to win games rather than camping in their own box was entertaining stuff.

Hughton led Blues into a Europa League campaign which their Carling Cup win the previous season had earned them. In Europe, Blues picked up ten points but were the first ever club to exit the competition with double figures on the points board.

That season, Blues finished 4th in the Championship but lost to Blackpool after a two legged play-off semi-final. Soon after, Hughton resigned from his position claiming that the achievements of that season had increased expectations unrealistically.

High: Entertaining Europa League campaign
High: Qualifying for the play-offs in 2012
Low: Losing in play-off semi-final in 2012

SCORE – 8/10

LEE CLARK

Clark was tasked with the progression of Blues after Hughton walked out. The Geordie`s time at Blues started slowly. However, they were flirting with the play-offs towards the end of Clark`s first season before falling away and finish 12th.

The next season, finances started to dictate player sales and Clark promoted a crop of youngsters into the first team. The season was a difficult one in which Blues were beginning to struggle. Clark`s baffling tactics and team selections resulted in the club sitting third bottom with one game to go. Blues went to Bolton and came from two goals down to draw and stay in the league on goal difference.

The highs of Bolton eventually evaporated and Blues began the next season in a similar fashion to the previous one. They were again at the wrong end of the table and Clark was sacked in October 2014 with Blues second from bottom.

High: Dramatic last gasp survival at Bolton in 2014
Low: Relationship with fans rapidly deteriorated
Low: Almost took Blues down to League One in 2014

SCORE – 4/10

MALCOLM CROSBY

Crosby was a caretaker manager after Clark`s dismissal. He threw his hat in the ring for the job permanently after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Blackburn at Ewood Park. However, a few days later, Blues were obliterated 8-0 by Bournemouth at St. Andrews marking the end of Crosby`s short spell in the dugout.

High: Leaving the club
Low: Overseeing Blues` 8-0 defeat to Bournemouth

SCORE – 1/10

GARY ROWETT

After Clark`s fruitless tenure, Gary Rowett left Burton Albion to take over. The former Blues right back was an instant hit with fans leading Blues to a 2-1 win over high flying Watford in his first home game in charge.

Rowett took Blues from 23rd to 10th and in his first full season, another 10th place finish signaled progression. Rowett was controversially sacked this month with Blues sitting in 7th, three points from 3rd.

High: Leading Blues from relegation fear to play-off hopefuls
Low: His style of football wasn`t to everyone`s taste

SCORE – 7/10

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