EXCLUSIVE: Cotterill gets Birmingham job after Karanka snub

TEAMtalk understands Steve Cotterill will be named the new boss of Birmingham City later today after Aitor Karanka turned down the opportunity.

Cotterill, 53, has held advanced talks with Birmingham officials and will be unveiled by the Championship club as Harry Redknapp’s successor later today.

The former Burnley and Bristol City boss was Redknapp’s assistant at St Andrew’s for the final three games of last season, when Birmingham avoided relegation on the final day.

Redknapp reportedly wanted Cotterill to carry on in the role this season, but he refused because he wanted to be a manager in his own right.

Former Middlesbrough boss Karanka, 44,  was also interviewed for the role, but we can reveal the Spaniard turned down the chance to get back into English football after leaving Teesside in March this year.