BLUES PUT SOME PEP IN THEIR STEP
Clotet bags head coach job
HE’D been in charge since the summer in a caretaker capacity, but now Pep Clotet has officially been confirmed as Birmingham City’s head coach.
Former Oxford United boss Clotet was given the chance to lead the Blues following the controversial sacking of Garry Monk, now in charge at Sheffield Wednesday, in June.
While Monk recently said that he had made an ‘error of judgement’ in working with Clotet, who had been his assistant at Swansea, Leeds and Birmingham, the Blues board had no such qualms.
After guiding the Midlands club to 15th place pre-weekend, a mere six points off the play-offs, the St Andrew’s hierarchy handed the Spaniard the reins on a permanent basis in midweek.
“Pep has shown his coaching expertise, man-management and leadership skills, allied to exemplary professional conduct, that can help take the club forward,” said the Birmingham board in a statement.
“We have a clear vision of what our footballing philosophy needs to be and Pep and his staff have begun to implement that in just a short space of time. He has also brought out the best of, and trusted in, our young players. This is another important part of our strategy.
“The club must be together as one, with the same togetherness and ethos through from the academy and the under-23s to the first team.
Passionate
“We trust that our supporters will continue to get behind Pep, the coaching staff and the players, all of whom are passionate about bringing success to Birmingham City and have the club’s interests at heart.” Barcelona-born Clotet, 42, joined the Blues as assistant manager in March last year and helped them stay up that season before consolidating last term.
His first game since being appointed permanent boss was yesterday’s Championship trip to Mark Bowen’s Reading.
He has two home games to look forward to in the coming week – Birmingham host QPR on Wednesday evening and West Brom in a lunchtime kick-off next Saturday.