Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham draw up six-man shortlist to replace Alex McLeish
ShareBirmingham have identified six targets as they step up their bid to replace Alex McLeish as manager.[LNB]Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Di Matteo and Chris Hughton are among the leading candidates under consideration by owner Carson Yeung and acting chairman Peter Pannu after McLeish resigned on Sunday.[LNB] In the frame: Cotterill, Zola and Hughton are in line to replace McLeish [LNB]But reports that Birmingham have already asked permission to speak to Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill are wide of the mark.[LNB]LATEST ODDS Hughton 5/2[LNB]Davies 9/2[LNB]Cotterill 6/1[LNB]Di Matteo 8/11[LNB]Curbishley 10/1[LNB](best odds available)[LNB]Birmingham are eager to make an appointment as quickly as possible as they have to prepare for a Europa League campaign in addition to trying to gain promotion from the npower Championship.[LNB]Pannu said: 'I am discussing the situation with Carson and we hope to install the new man as soon as possible. There are at least six (candidates) on the radar.'[LNB]Former Newcastle boss Hughton is the number one choice of Birmingham fans in a poll conducted by the Birmingham Mail newspaper.[LNB] Moving house: McLeish resigned as Birmingham City manager on Sunday [LNB]But Di Matteo and Zola are also free agents after their previous spells as manager of West Brom and West Ham respectively.[LNB]Meanwhile, Birmingham are set to complete the signing of Morgaro Gomis from Dundee United on a free transfer despite McLeish's departure.[LNB]Pannu said: 'Gomis is still coming in to Birmingham.' [LNB] Cotterill, Zola and Hughton on Birmingham shortlist to replace Villa-bound McLeishEXCLUSIVE: Gardner set to join Birmingham exodus after ?5m Sunderland bidVilla fans threaten to return season tickets if McLeish is appointed as managerThe Midlander: McLeish to amateur Villa? You couldn't make it up, could you... Explore more:People: Gianfranco Zola, Chris Hughton, Roberto Di Matteo, Alex McLeish Places: Birmingham, Newcastle
