Birmingham City have appointed Gianfranco Zola as Gary Rowett’s successor after the Championship club terminated the manager’s contract and those of his backroom staff on Wednesday.

Zola, who has managed West Ham United and Watford, was in the running to take over at Hull City in the summer. The 50-year-old was keen to get back into management in England and has agreed a deal to takeover at St Andrew’s. The former Parma and Chelsea forward’s agent travelled to London to meet Birmingham representatives to finalise contract details, with the Midlands club confirming his appointment on Wednesday evening.

The sacking of the 42-year-old Rowett came as a surprise with Birmingham outside the play-off places only on goal difference after winning 2-1 at home to Ipswich on Tuesday. Their previous two results were 4-0 and 3-0 defeats to Newcastle and Barnsley respectively but they were the only two reverses in their past seven league matches.



Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) OFFICIAL: Birmingham City has appointed Gianfranco Zola as new Manager. More details to follow shortly #BCFC pic.twitter.com/07bQ0j1U8l

Birmingham’s new owner Trillion Trophy Asia Limited said the decision to relieve Rowett of his duties had been taken “with a strategic, long-term view and with the club’s best interests at heart”.

A statement on the club’s website, bcfc.com, said: “This has not been an easy decision to make. The board would like to thank Gary and his backroom staff for their efforts and wish them all the best for the future.

“Gary came in and immediately stabilised the team amid difficult circumstances and during his tenure improved the club’s fortunes on the field. He has conducted himself professionally on behalf of the club at all times and there is a genuine sadness at this course of action.

“However Trillion Trophy Asia Limited remains determined to lead the club to a bright and exciting future. Supporters can rest assured the decision has been taken with a strategic, long-term view and with the club’s best interests at heart.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gary Rowett during Birmingham’s win over Ipswich on Tuesday. Photograph: ProSports/Rex/Shutterstock

“An immediate replacement will be sought in order to afford the new manager the time to assess where the existing playing squad needs strengthening. The board recognises the urgency required given the transfer window will open at the start of January and funds have been made available. TTAL has been involved with the club for more than 18 months and has reviewed all playing and non-playing matters during that period.”

Rowett, a former Birmingham defender left Burton to replace Lee Clark as the manager at St Andrew’s in October 2014 and steered the club away from relegation to a 10th-place finish in the Championship that season. His first full campaign in charge again brought a 10th-place finish.

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There were signs Birmingham may be able to sustain a play-off challenge and Rowett’s departure has been met with anger by some fans on social media. However, the director Panos Pavlakis has urged supporters to trust the board despite getting rid of someone widely regarded as one of the brightest young managers in the Football League.

Pavlakis said: “Such a parting of the ways is always difficult, particularly so on a personal level as I have worked very closely with Gary and have got to know him well. Our relationship was very strong but in football you can never stand still. I would ask our supporters trust our judgment and look forward to and embrace the future as we begin to implement the exciting vision of TTAL. The club will be making no further comment at this stage.”

Birmingham host title-chasing Brighton on Saturday and victory, combined with several other results going their way, could leave them in third place in the table.