Aitor Karanka is being linked with the Birmingham City job.

The Mirror says former Middlesbrough boss Karanka is in pole position to succeed Harry Redknapp as Birmingham boss.

Championship strugglers City sacked former Tottenham boss Redknapp on Saturday after a sixth successive loss, going down 3-1 at home to Preston.

Blues' Far Eastern owners were expecting promotion this season after splashing out on 14 new players in the summer to overhaul a squad Redknapp saved from relegation when appointed in April.

Lee Carsley has been promoted from head development coach to take temporary charge of a club currently second-bottom of the second tier.