Gianfranco Zola is lined up as replacement at Birmingham City

Gianfranco Zola is the leading candidate to replace Gary Rowett at Birmingham. Rowett has been sacked by the Championship club despite widely being acknowledged as one of the brightest young managers in the league. 

And Chelsea legend Zola is understood to be the Blues owners' first choice to take over at St Andrews. 

It is believed the club’s hierarchy want a high-profile name in charge of the club and Zola, given his iconic status, fits the bill.