Chris Hughton has been appointed as Birmingham's new manager - just ten days after Alex McLeish resigned to take charge of Aston Villa.

The former Newcastle boss Hughton was yesterday confirmed by the Midlands club as McLeish's replacement.

Hughton edged ahead of Roberto Di Matteo in the battle to take charge of the Carling Cup holders.

The Blues will be hoping he can repeat his achievement at Newcastle in steering them to promotion from the Championship two years ago.

Hughton has been out of football since parting company with the Magpies after a 3-1 defeat at West Brom in early December.

Hughton said: "To be joining a club of the stature of Birmingham City, with the history it has, is a pleasure. I'm really looking forward to getting to work.

"For as long as I have been in football the name Birmingham City has been right up there and it is what I regard as a real football club with extremely passionate supporters.

"We are going into an extremely competitive Championship and with the players set to return for pre-season training very soon I need to get into the job straight away, and I'm really relishing the opportunity to do exactly that and to meet everyone at the club."