Cotterill: My future is not at St Andrew’s
STEVE Cotterill will not stay on at Birmingham City alongside Harry Redknapp next season.
The former Bristol City boss was brought in as first-team coach when Redknapp replaced Gianfranco Zola for the final three matches of the season.
Cotterill was offered the position of assistant manager after Redknapp signed a one-year deal to remain at St Andrew’s, but has turned it down.
The 52-year-old held talks with Blues last week following their Championship survival.
Despite a “good offer” from the club’s owners, Cotterill is thought to be holding out for a full managerial role elsewhere.
“It was a very difficult decision,” he said. “I have given it a lot of thought but I have decided to turn down the club’s offer.
“The club made me a good offer and my decision was solely based on being a No.2, whereas really I have been a manager for a long time in my own right.
“Harry Redknapp asked me to come in and help for three weeks and I believe that’s what I firmly did.”
Cotterill, who assisted Redknapp in his successful bid to avoid relegation alongside Paul Groves, said Blues deserved to stay in the division.
“I will miss lots of people at Birmingham City I got on extremely well with,” he added. “I’d like to thank the kitmen, analysts, physios, sports scientists, office staff and the players.
“And with the players, the relationship I developed with them, on and off the pitch, was fantastic.
“Last, but by no means least, I’d like to thank the fans. In the three games they were unbelievable. The support they gave to the players was different class.”