HUGHTON NAMED BIRMINGHAM BOSS

Birmingham have appointed former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton as the manager. The 52-year-old is said to have beat Roberto Di Matteo in the battle to be manager of the League Cup winners, who were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of the season.

According to the club’s official website, acting chairman Peter Pannu felt that Hughton was the perfect fit for the job and was impressed by the coach’s vision and theories, in particular his thoughts on developing youth talent and playing attractive football.

London-born Hughton began his coaching career with spells at Tottenham, where he spent 13 years as a player, before being approached by Newcastle United in 2008.