Football: Clark takes over from Hughton at Birmingham

Former Huddersfield boss Lee Clark has been confirmed as the new manager of Birmingham City, the second-tier English Championship club announced Tuesday.

The 39-year-old succeeds Chris Hughton, who left the Midlands side for Premier League Norwich almost three weeks ago.

The length of Clark's contract was not disclosed.

Acting Birmingham chairman Peter Pannu said: "I was impressed by Lee's tenacity, zest and his ambition.

"He is enthused by the challenge ahead and is determined to make Birmingham City a real force in the npower Championship this season.

"Judging from his record at Huddersfield, I know he has the capability to do exactly that."

Clark, who will be officially presented at St Andrew's on Wednesday, was surprisingly sacked by Huddersfield in February after just over three years in charge, with Town fourth in third tier League One at the time.

However, Huddersfield successor Simon Grayson went on to clinch promotion via the playoffs last month.

Former Newcastle, Sunderland and Fulham midfielder Clark guided the Terriers to the League One play-off semi-finals in 2010 before going one step further a year later, losing out 3-0 to Peterborough in the final.

Much of Town's relative success under Clark was built around a 43-game unbeaten run in regular season league matches stretching from December 2010 to November 2011 - a Football League record.

Birmingham owner Carson Yeung is facing money laundering charges in his native Hong Kong.

The uncertainty surrounding Yeung's position has led the Football League to slap a transfer embargo on Birmingham.

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