Monk confident of Blues revival

NEW Birmingham boss Garry Monk insists he can buck the trend of fallen managers at the Sky Bet Championship strugglers.

The former Leeds boss signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at St Andrew’s on Sunday to become Blues’ fifth manager in 15 months.

Steve Cotterill was sacked on Saturday with Birmingham third from bottom of the table having only been appointed in September.

Gary Rowett, Gianfranco Zola and Harry Redknapp have also been in charge since December 2016, but Monk has backed himself to succeed.

He said: “Of course you need to know what’s gone and I have an idea, but I judge it on my own merits. I don’t ring up former managers and players. I have done it from the very start, as a player, and judge it as I see fit.

“I wouldn’t come if I didn’t believe we couldn’t get these players and the club where we need to.”