'Turning point' - Birmingham City verdict delivered by former Spurs and Newcastle United star

Former Birmingham City defender Stephen Carr has backed the club's decision to appoint Gary Rowett on an interim basis.

Rowett is to take the reins at St Andrew's until the end of the 2023/24 campaign. He replaces Mark Venus who was deputising for Tony Mowbray who is away from football duties with a period of absence as he recovers at home.

The 50-year-old is back at Blues having been relieved of his duties in controversial circumstances back in 2016. It is hoped that he can turn the fortunes of the club around and guide them to safety. In to the final international break of the season, Birmingham are only outside of the relegation zone by goal difference.

Carr played 121 times for Birmingham and was part of the side that reached the Premier League back in 2009. He would play two seasons of top-flight football in the Midlands before dropping down in to the Championship following relegation. The 44-time Republic of Ireland international believes Birmingham would have been safe under Mowbray, and now has hopes that their Championship status can be secured.

The former right-back who was speaking to BoyleSports about the latest EFL odds, said: "I think Gary Rowett is a good appointment for Birmingham and potentially a turning point in the season. He knows the club and did very well there before.

"It's not someone coming in fresh where you're taking a gamble. He knows the club, the players know what he's done there, he's a well respected coach and it’s good they’re moving on now.

"The cost of going down would be so big for the club so fingers crossed this could be a turning point, it’s a big positive.

"It's unfortunate the way Tony Mowbray had to step down for the time being because he’s a good manager and he would’ve kept the club safe.

"But Rowett is a big positive, the fans know what he has done in the past and he has plenty of respect so fingers crossed he can get them out of that tricky position."

Rowett will be the sixth person to have taken charge of Birmingham City as a manager. John Eustace began the campaign as the head coach but was relieved of his duties in October and replaced by Wayne Rooney. Rooney's time was disastrous, and whilst they searched for his successor Steve Spooner took charge.

Mowbray was appointed in mid-January and oversaw a couple of matches before Mark Venus took charge in February. Rowett will now take on the role, and now there is a call from Carr to bring some stability to the club.

Carr added: "I think Wayne Rooney knew that he was coming into a tricky situation, I can also see what the owners were thinking in terms of bringing in a big name that could attract players.

"They thought that would be a really good step for them but it hasn't worked out. Then they get another misfortune with what has happened to Tony, and now they're going back to basics where Gary is there as before.

"On the whole it’s just too much upheaval. Having four managers in one season, it's crazy. The stability has to be there. I think they need to get Rowett in to stay in the division and then you move on forward with more stability next year."