Harry Redknapp: Birmingham City appoint former Spurs boss as manager in shock move

The former Spurs boss joins the club as they battle for Championship survival, sitting just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Former boss Zola resigned after the club's 2-0 loss to Burton Albion after joining the club in December following Gary Rowett's shock sacking.

The Italian won just 9% of his games in charge of the St. Andrews outfit, seeing the side plummet from playoff contention into a relegation scrap.

Redknapp has previously managed QPR, Spurs, Portsmouth, Southampton and West Ham, as well as the Jordan national team.

Steve Cotterill will also join Blues as Redknapp's assistant, after working with him at Loftus Road.

Speaking on TalkSport following his appointment, Redknapp confirmed the move, stating that he couldn't resist a move back into management.

"I got a phone call last night from the people at Birmingham." He said.

"I drove to London, had a meeting for ten to 15 minutes, sat down and said 'yeah, I will do it, no problem'. I got home and my wife said: 'are you mad!'"

"It is a good club. They are in a precarious position and we have got the worst goal difference as well.

"I've gone in there said I will come and do it. The money I am not interested in.

"I got fed up sitting around doing nothing. I will come and live up here until the end of the season.

"If I can keep them up then we can sit down and talk about going forward."

He now faces the task of preparing his side for a crunch clash with local rivals Aston Villa this weekend, followed by games against Huddersfield Town and Bristol City.

"They are three tough games," he said.

"It is not going to be easy but it is a challenge and I look forward to it.

"Steve Cotterill is going to come in with me. How he is not in work managing I don't know. He is one of the top coaches I have worked with.

"We will give it everything we have got it, we will throw ourselves into it, and hopefully we will get the win or whatever we need to stay up."

The 70-year-old has previous experience in guiding teams to the Premier League, achieving the feat with Portsmouth and QPR, as well as lifting the FA Cup with Pompey.