Blues are plotting a Kar chase
AITOR KARANKA is in pole position to succeed Harry Redknapp at Birmingham.
The Championship strugglers sacked boss Redknapp on Saturday after a sixth successive loss, going down 3-1 at home to Preston.
City’s Far Eastern owners were expecting promotion after splashing out on 14 new players this summer.
Former Blues star Lee Carsley has taken temporary charge, but chief executive Xuandong Ren wants an experienced promotion-winning coach.
City are yet to make an official approach but want to speak to Karanka, 44, who led Middlesbrough into the Premier League in 2016.
He recently turned down the chance to boss Alaves in Spain and is interested in the St Andrew’s vacancy.
Former Boro and Italy striker Fabrizio Ravanelli wants the manager’s job at League Two Chesterfield.
Now 48, he has already been unsuccessful in his bid to land roles back at the Riverside and Leyton Orient, but is keen on the Spireites job.