Ex-Leeds United coach joins Jesse Marsch and Tony Mowbray on Birmingham City shortlist

Former Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom is reportedly being considered for the vacant managerial position at Birmingham City. Birmingham made the decision to part ways with Wayne Rooney earlier this week following their heavy 3-0 defeat at Elland Road on New Year’s Day.

The former England international won just two of his 15 games in the job to ensure he was unable to prevent the Blues from slipping into a relegation battle at the foot of the Championship table. The search for his replacement has already started and a host of names have already been linked to the job

However, according to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Heckingbottom is one of the names being considered by the Birmingham hierarchy. Heckingbottom, who spent four months in charge at Elland Road earlier in his career, has been out of work since leaving Sheffield United last month.

The Barnsley-born coach was in charge at Bramall Lane for two years and led the club to promotion from the Championship last season. However, he found the going tougher in the Premier League this time around and was dismissed at the start of December, with the club floundering in the relegation zone.

Heckingbottom isn’t the only former Leeds coach in the running at St Andrew’s, though, with Jesse Marsch being linked to the job, too. The likes of Lee Carsley and Tony Mowbray have also been touted as candidates for the role as Birmingham strive to find a replacement sooner rather than later.

The Blues can enjoy some respite from the Championship this weekend as they travel to face Hull City in the FA Cup, but they’ll hope to have a new man in place before next week’s clash with Swansea City.

Heckingbottom joined Leeds from Barnsley in February 2018 following the dismissal of Thomas Christiansen but went on to win just four games as he guided Leeds to an underwhelming finish of 13th. As a result, he was removed from his duties at the end of the season, a decision which made way for the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa.