Chris Hughton to get Birmingham City job ahead of Roberto Di Matteo – report

Chris Hughton, Newcastle United (Getty Images)

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Birmingham City look set to offer the managerial vacancy at St Andrew’s to Chris Hughton, according to reports.

The club are currently without a manager following the resignation of Alex McLeish, who eventually joined arch-rivals and neighbours Aston Villa.

Hughton was the joint favourite for the job with Roberto Di Matteo, but it appears the former Newcastle United boss has won the race.

The Daily Mail understands Hughton could be unveiled as the Blues’ new manager within the next few days, with the feat of taking Newcastle straight back to the Premier League following relegation the decisive factor.

The former Tottenham player had twice previously been in charge of Newcastle on a caretaker basis before he got the job full time in November 2009.

The Stratford-born 52-year-old was then unceremoniously sacked in December of 2010 despite the club lying in 11th in the Premier League and was replaced by Alan Pardew.

It is also understood that Hughton will look to make Colin Calderwood his assistant, as was the case at Newcastle, however Steve McClaren has also identified the Scot as his ideal No.2 at Nottingham Forest.