BIRMINGHAM City have sacked manager Lee Clark ahead of their Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park tomorrow night.

Clark’s coach, and fellow former Newcastle United player, Steve Watson, has also left the club.

First-team coach Richard Beale and chief scout Malcolm Crosby have been placed in caretaker charge.

A Birmingham statement reads: “Birmingham City Football Club has parted company with Lee Clark and Steve Watson with immediate effect.

“The search for a successor has already begun and the board will look to make an appointment in the very near future.

“In the meantime, first-team coach Richard Beale and chief scout Malcolm Crosby have been placed in caretaker charge. 

“The club wishes to place on record its sincere thanks to Lee Clark and Steve Watson for their combined efforts over a period stretching back to June 2012.”

Birmingham, who have won only once at home in a year, slipped to fourth from bottom in the Championship after they went 1-0 to Bolton Wanderers at St Andrews on Saturday.

Clark had conducted his press conference, previewing the trip to Rovers, this morning.

He said: “We are unbeaten in the last three away from home and we’ve got to look to keep that run going against a tough Blackburn side.”