Lee Bowyer tells his Charlton players he has QUIT to become Birmingham’s new manager after Aitor Karanka was sacked
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Lee Bowyer is on the verge of succeeding Aitor Karanka as Birmingham manager after bringing his time at Charlton to an end.
The 44-year old, who spent two-a-half years as a player at St Andrew’s, is in talks with the Championship strugglers after quitting Charlton on Monday morning.
Birmingham want a new boss in place for Wednesday’s game with Reading, despite not yet officially confirming Karanka’s exit.
Lee Bowyer is set to become the new manager of Birmingham after leaving Charlton Athletic
Bowyer looks set to be the man given the role after his Charlton players were told on Monday morning that he was leaving the Valley.
Birmingham will need to pay £350,000 in compensation if they appoint Bowyer as expected, even though he resigned from his role voluntarily.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, Charlton confirmed his departure and thanked Bowyer for his efforts since he initially took charge on a caretaker basis in 2018.
In the statement, Bowyer said: ‘It was a difficult decision to leave. Everyone knows how I feel about the club. I could have gone before but I felt it was the right thing to do to stay and help the club through the tough times we’ve been through.
‘We had some amazing times and some tough times. It has been emotional leaving. I’d like to thank all the players that I’ve worked with and the staff for the hours and hours of hard work that they did. I also want to thank the supporters. We wouldn’t have had those great memories without them.
‘The club is now in a place with a good owner that cares and wants to improve the place and I hope the club can continue to grow. It will always hold a special place in my heart.’
His last game was a 1-1 draw at home to Shrewsbury, which left the Addicks eighth in the League One table, just two points off the play-off places.
Charlton’s owner, Thomas Sandgaard said: ‘I would like to thank Lee for everything he has done for Charlton. I have enjoyed working with him and wish him the best for his future. Our focus now is on finding the correct replacement to take this club forward.’
Sportsmail revealed on Sunday that Aitor Karanka has been sacked by the Championship club
Sportsmail revealed on Sunday that Karanka had been sacked by Birmingham after picking up just 13 points from the last 57 available.
The club’s owners acted following Saturday’s dismal 3-0 defeat by Bristol City in which Birmingham did not even manage a shot on target.
When asked afterwards if he would resign Karanka replied: ‘No chance.’
However, City’s owners, notably influential director Zhao Wenqing, decided a change was necessary.
A formal announcement is expected shortly and they hope to have Bowyer in place for Wednesday’s game at home to Reading.
City’s players were informed of the club’s decision on Saturday night and have 10 games left to preserve their Championship status.
Birmingham were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Bristol City at St Andrew’s on Saturday
Birmingham sit just one place above the relegation zone and three points ahead of Rotherham United, but they have played four more games and have a significantly worse goal difference.
Former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest boss Karanka only signed a three-year deal in July, but leaves just eight months into his tenure.
He departs the club with a win rate of just 21.1 per cent, having earned just eight victories while losing exactly half of his 38 games in charge.
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