Gardner is favourite to succeed Clotet at Birmingham

CRAIG Gardner is currently the favourite to succeed Pep Clotet as Birmingham City head coach.

It was announced today that Clotet, 43, will step down from his role at the end of the season to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Clotet has been in charge at St Andrew’s for just one season after succeeding Garry Monk and boasts a record of 15 wins from 42 matches.

Gardner, who recently announced his retirement from playing to focus on coaching duties at Wast Hills, is the early favourite with bookmakers at 5/2.

Former Blues boss Chris Hughton is second favourite at 5/1 and remains out of work after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion last year.

Hughton’s only season at St Andrew’s saw the club reach the Championship play-offs alongside a good Europa League campaign.

Another contender is Slavisa Jokanovic.

Blues appointed one of his former coaches in Alberto Escobar at Christmas and he remains with the club. Jokanovic is the current manager of Qatari club AlGharafa.

Also in the betting are Coventry City boss Mark Robins, who stands to win promotion to the Championship, ex-Albion managers Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew, as well as Blues hero Lee Bowyer.

Blues next manager odds (courtesy of Oddschecker)

Craig Gardner - 5/2

Chris Hughton - 5/1

Slasiva Jokanovic - 6/1 Nigel Adkins - 7/1

Mark Robins - 8/1

Tony Pulis - 9/1

Lee Bowyer - 10/1

Neil Warnock - 12/1

Aitor Karanka - 12/1

Alan Pardew - 14/1 Stephen Robinson - 14/1