Redknapp happy back in hotseat

Harry Redknapp has returned to management with Birmingham City after becoming “fed up” in his time out of football.

The 70-year-old was yesterday confirmed as Gianfranco Zola’s successor until the end of the season, and he will be assisted in his bid to preserve their Sky Bet Championship status by former Bristol City manager, and Sunderland assistant boss, Steve Cotterill.

Zola’s run of only two wins from 24 fixtures has left Birmingham 20th and only three points above the relegation zone with three games to play, but Redknapp said: “I got fed up sitting around doing nothing. I will come and live up here until the end of the season.

“If I can keep them up then we can sit down and talk about going forward.

“I got a phone call last night from the people at Birmingham.

“I drove to London, had a meeting for 10 to 15 minutes, sat down and said ‘Yeah, I will do it, no problem’. I got home and my wife said: ‘Are you mad?’”

“Birmingham is a proper club. It is a good club. They are in a precarious position and we have got the worst goal difference as well.

“I’ve gone in there, said I will come and do it. The money I am not interested in.”

Birmingham’s season began well under Gary Rowett, who had taken them into contention for promotion before unexpectedly being sacked and replaced by Zola. The club’s supporters chanted for Zola’s departure during Monday’s 2-0 defeat by Burton, after which he resigned.