By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Birmingham City have appointed former Newcastle player and coach Lee Clark as their new manager.

The ex-Magpies midfielder, who played 265 times in two spells on Tyneside, replaces Chris Hughton following his move to Norwich City in the Barclays Premier League.

Clark, who has also brought in Terry McDermott and Derek Fazackerley as part of his coaching staff, was surprisingly sacked by Huddersfield in February.

The 39-year-old, who was born in Wallsend, told Birmingham's official website: "It will be a big test but that's just the expectation of myself and my staff.

"Looking at the basis of the squad, there's a great mixture of experienced players who are still hungry to be successful and young players who are still learning the game but are exciting.

"One thing I'll be bringing with me is work ethic, the desire, the passion that I have for the game and I will strive every day to make the club better." 

Clark started his coaching career at Newcastle, working as a coach at first-team and Reserve level under Glenn Roeder.