FORMER York City midfielder Steve Spooner has been appointed as the interim manager at Birmingham City following Wayne Rooney's sacking.

The England and Manchester United legend was relieved of his duties this morning after a dire run that saw the Blues taste victory in just two of his 15 matches in charge.

Replacing John Eustace on a three and a half year deal in October, Birmingham have slipped to 20th position during Rooney's mere 83 days in charge - having been sixth when he took over the reins.

But the club's New Year's Day defeat to Leeds United proved to be the last straw for the former striker and first team coach Carl Robinson, who have both departed St Andrew's.

In a statement, Rooney said: "Football is a results business - and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be.

"However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed.

"Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16. 

"Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager."

Spooner makes the step up to take interim charge having held various roles at the Midlands club. He was their under 18s coach, later becoming their Professional Development Coach, and managed the club on a caretaker basis in 2020.

The 62-year-old scored 11 times in 72 appearances for the Minstermen between 1988 and 1990, including an eight-minute hat-trick against Hartlepool in the Littlewoods Cup in 1989.

He then enjoyed spells at Rotherham United, Mansfield Town and Blackpool before closing out his playing career at Burton Albion in 1997.

With a managerial search now underway, Spooner looks set to be in the dugout as Birmingham host Sky Bet Championship rivals Hull City in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup next weekend.