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Claudio Ranieri

Ranieri closer to West Brom job

West Bromwich Albion have held a second round of talks with the former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri about becoming Roy Hodgson's successor at the club.

Zoltan Gera has endured a frustrating return to West Brom

West Brom midfielder Zoltan Gera hopeful of pre-season return

West Brom midfielder Zoltan Gera aims to be fully fit for the start of pre-season training in early July after being out of action since November.

Blackpool's Thomas Ince (centre) celebrates with his team mates after scoring the opening goal

Seasiders set up play-off final date with West Ham

Birmingham City 2 Blackpool 2 (Blackpool win 3-2 on aggregate)

The Birmingham manager, Chris Hughton dismissed talk of him filling the vacancy at West Bromwich as 'non-facts'

Peter Ramage out to be Birmingham hero again

It was the 59th minute of a game that had not yet lived up to its billing. Blackpool had taken a fortuitous lead on the stroke of half-time and came out all guns blazing; Matt Phillips beating left-back David Murphy before pulling the ball back to Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Six yards out, the striker had the goal at his mercy and half of Bloomfield Road was already celebrating. But Peter Ramage threw himself in front of the shot and saved a second goal. In moments like that, in play-off games, resolute defending can book a ticket to Wembley.

<b>ALAN CURBISHLEY</b><br/>
Built his reputation with Charlton over more than a decade in the top flight and also had a spell in charge at West Ham but been out of management in recent seasons. Has said he will talk to Wolves boss Steve Morgan if he gets the call.

West Brom begin search for new manager

West Brom are already searching for Roy Hodgson's successor even though England's new head coach will remain in charge for the final two games of the domestic season.

CHRIS HUGHTON: The Birmingham manager expects his team to raise their game against Chelsea

Birmingham hope to cash in on chaos in replay

In any other week, the towering event for Chelsea would be tonight's FA Cup replay at Birmingham City. The prize is a home quarter-final against Leicester City – and a good shot at a Wembley semi-final.

Birmingham's Chris Hughton will be pleased with his two loan signings

Birmingham strengthen squad for promotion bid

Birmingham City have bolstered their Championship promotion push with the twin signings of Peter Ramage and Caleb Folan. Versatile 28-year-old defender Ramage has joined on loan from Queen's Park Rangers until the end of the season, having spent the first half of the campaign with Crystal Palace, making 23 appearances.

Championship round-up: Fahey's fierce drive keeps Birmingham motoring

Birmingham City moved into third place in the Championship last night with a 3-1 win at Barnsley, while Middlesbrough moved into the top six by beating struggling Millwall 3-1 at the New Den.

Lee Martin enjoys scoring for Ipswich last night

Jewell risks trouble with 'man' rant

Birmingham City 2 Ipswich Town 1

Birmingham-born 17-year old Nathan Redmond was a surprise starter but impressed with his pace

Redmond's promise takes the edge off elimination for Hughton

Birmingham City 1 NK Maribor 0

Nick Barmby is keeping an eye on Birmingham

Barmby predicts lift-off for Blues

Hull City's caretaker manager, Nick Barmby, expects today's opponents Birmingham City to make a concerted push for promotion from the Championship in the new year.

The Cardiff City players congratulate Kenny Miller (centre) after the Scottish striker got the winner against Birmingham City yesterday

Cardiff cash in on Davies' dodgy week

Cardiff City 1 Birmingham City 0

Joey Barton has been typically outspoken about his time on the Tyne

Barton: 'Ashley tried to cut my wages when I was in jail'

Midfielder claims senior players were frozen out over bonus row which led to sacking of Hughton

Colin Calderwood has been fired by Hibernian

Calderwood in at St Andrew's

Colin Calderwood has been appointed assistant manager at Birmingham, the Championship club confirmed yesterday.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Special report: Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported

Special report

Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported
The problem with social mobility

The problem with social mobility

Politicians who say they want to break down Britain's social barriers have been told to unlock closed-shop professions – starting in their own backyard
France's sixth biggest city* goes to the polls (*that's London, by the way)

France's sixth biggest city* goes to the polls (*that's London, btw)

Next month expats in the stronghold of South Kensington will have a big say in who is returned as the first French overseas MP
Aftershock: How Haiti's quake hit the whole of Hispaniola

Aftershock: How Haiti's quake hit the whole of Hispaniola

Two years on from the disaster that shook the Caribbean state, its eastern neighbour, the Dominican Republic, fears a new wave of illegal immigrants could hurt its economy
Mean streets at the movies

Mean streets at the movies

Plan B's new film explores the urban tensions that led to last summer's riots – and he's not the only one finding cinematic inspiration in social unrest
Romney hits the magic number, but his smartphone app fails crucial spelling test

Romney hits the magic number...

... but his smartphone app fails crucial spelling test
Car-crash TV: Ferrari quits news after gaffes, rows and poor ratings

Car-crash TV: Ferrari quits news after gaffes, rows and poor ratings

Weeks after the demise of Sarkozy, the TF1 star he's said to have dated finds herself out of office too
Meet your doctor (please don't unplug it)

Meet your doctor (please don't unplug it)

Can a network of hi-tech terminals and online medics make the connection?
The 10 Best cycling gear

The 10 Best cycling gear

It’s summer, it's sunny... it’s the perfect time to get on your bike.
Song of the suicide bomber: How 'Babur in London' negotiated a cultural minefield

Song of the suicide bomber

Daring new opera 'Babur in London' features British terrorists planning an attack.
The school that brought the International Baccalaureate to the East End

Bringing the IB to the East End

The International Baccalaureate is not just for pupils in leafy suburbs.
England must beware brilliant Belgium

England must beware brilliant Belgium

They may have missed out on the Euros but the Belgians have a rash of young players who, thanks to the unifying skills of their coach, look to have a bright future
James Lawton: Liverpool must show new man the respect he needs to do the job

James Lawton

Liverpool must show new man the respect he needs to do the job
2012: the year when England's support decided to stay at home

2012: the year when England's support decided to stay at home

Three Lions will play their Euro 2012 games in front of only a few thousand of their fans
What's wrong with Rory?

What's wrong with Rory?

Is the trouble with the defending US Open champion in his head, in his swing, with his girlfriend – or is it all in the minds of others?