Birmingham City sack Steve Cotterill with Garry Monk primed for St Andrew's hotseat
Steve Cotterill has been sacked by Birmingham the club have announced - with Garry Monk in pole position to replace him as manager.
The 53-year-old was only appointed in September but his reign ended following Saturday's 2-1 Sky Bet Championship loss - a fifth straight defeat - at Nottingham Forest.
The result left Blues third from bottom in the table, two points from the safety line, and hunting their third permanent manager of the season.
"This course of action is taken with great regret and sadness," a club statement read.
"Steve has conducted himself professionally on behalf of the Club at all times, his work ethic and honesty are a credit to him and there is a genuine sadness at this decision.
"However, the Board feel that a change in management at this stage is in the best interests of the Football Club."
Reports suggest Birmingham's board will turn to Gary Monk, with the 38-year-old still available since leaving Middlesbrough in December.
He wants to get back into management and Blues, who have kept tabs on the Welshman ever since he left Swansea in 2015, are ready to offer him that chance.
The Championship outfit have also held talks with former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan, despite the 61-year-old being out of club management since 2010.
Cotterill only took charge of Blues last September, penning a two-and-a-half-year deal worth around £450,000-a-year.
But he struggled to turn things around, winning seven of his 27 games.
Further questions over his future were raised on Saturday when there was no Birmingham presence in the Nottingham Forest boardroom.
Should Gary Monk be installed quickly, his first game would be against former club Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
