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Hughton appointed new Birmingham boss

Chris Hughton pipped Roberto Di Matteo to the St Andrew's post © PA Photos

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Former Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has been given the task of guiding Birmingham City back into the top flight at the first attempt after being confirmed as the club's new manager.

Hughton, 52, took the Magpies back into the Premier League as Championship winners last May but was surprisingly sacked in December and had been out of work since.

But he returns to management at Birmingham, where he will be asked to replicate his success in the North East by masterminding an immediate return to English football's top table.

A statement on Birmingham's official website said: "Birmingham City is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Hughton as the club's new manager. Terms were agreed with the 52-year-old today and Hughton takes charge with immediate effect.

"Following productive talks with the former Newcastle United boss, acting chairman Peter Pannu felt that Hughton was the perfect candidate to take charge at St Andrew's and he is now looking forward to sharing the new man's ambition.

"Pannu was particularly impressed by Hughton's vision and footballing theories of garnering youth and playing attractive and effective football."

Hughton was heavily linked with the West Brom and West Ham jobs earlier this year but it is St Andrew's where he will now ply his trade, filling the managerial hotseat made vacant by Alex McLeish's controversial departure to Aston Villa last week.

The former Tottenham assistant will also have the added pressure of guiding Birmingham in Europe, after last season's Carling Cup triumph ensured they will be playing in the Europa League in 2011-12.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.