Chris Hughton named as Blues boss

Chris Hughton has been confirmed as Birmingham's new manager.

Hughton has tied up a deal to become Alex McLeish's replacement at St Andrew's.

The former Newcastle boss edged ahead of former Albion head coach Roberto Di Matteo in the battle to take charge of Blues.

Hughton has been out of football since parting company with Newcastle after a 3-1 defeat at Albion in early December, despite the Magpies being in mid-table in the Premier League in their first year back in the top flight following promotion.

But the 52-year-old has impressed Birmingham acting chairman Peter Pannu when being interviewed during the past few days and City's owner Carson Yeung ratified Hughton's arrival.

It's Yeung's first managerial appointment since taking control of Blues during the early part of the 2009-10 campaign.

Hughton will have the task of picking up the pieces at St Andrew's after McLeish's resignation 10 days ago, when he replaced Gerard Houllier as manager of Villa.

Yeung is looking for Blues to regain their Premier League status at the first attempt, as was made clear to McLeish in a statement issued at the end of the season.

Hughton has plenty of experience at Championship level and guided Newcastle to promotion 13 months ago as champions, having previously been a member of the coaching staff at Tottenham.