London, Oct 28 (IANS): English championship strugglers Birmingham have named Burton Albion's Gary Rowett as the new manager of the football club after sacking Lee Clark last week.

Clark was relieved of his duties after a two and a quarter years' stint.

Birmingham lost to Bournemouth 0-8 Saturday, which was their worst ever home defeat and left them second bottom of the English second tier, reports Xinhua.

The 40-year-old Rowett had played for Birmingham 14 years ago before he was sold to Leicester City following a successful two-year spell as a defender.

He has been appointed on a rolling 12-month contract and his first match in charge will be the local derby with Wolverhampton Wanderers Saturday.

"I'd like to formally welcome Gary ahead of the start of a new era for Birmingham City," Panos Pavlakis, club director, said in a statement Monday.

"I trust all supporters will join me in giving their full backing to our new manager and his backroom staff. The board fully understands supporters' frustrations during what has recently been a very difficult period for the football club. As a result, the board will endeavour to improve communication with our loyal supporters moving forward."