Aitor Karanka has stepped down as head coach of Championship strugglers Birmingham City with ex-Charlton boss Lee Bowyer expected to replace him.

Karanka, 47, had been in charge of Blues for less than eight months.

Saturday's 3-0 loss to Bristol City was their 12th home defeat this season and left them just three points clear of the relegation zone.

But Birmingham have also played four more games than 22nd-placed Rotherham United.

Blues released a short statement on Tuesday confirming Karanka had "stepped down" and "further information would be provided in due course".

Former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest boss Karanka, who succeeded Spanish compatriot Pep Clotet at St Andrew's in July, leaves without Blues fans being able to attend any of their 38 league and cup games in his time in charge.

The decision to replace former Real Madrid player Karanka with Bowyer means City owners Trillion Trophy Asia are looking for their eighth manager since taking control of the club in October 2016.

Blues are in their 10th season in the Championship, following relegation from the Premier League in 2011- the same season they beat Arsenal to win the League Cup at Wembley, the club's greatest honour.

In that time, they have finished in the Championship top 10 just three times, once under Chris Hughton, when they reached the play-offs in 2012, and twice under Gary Rowett, in 2015 and 2016 - and they have endured relegation battles in five of their 10 seasons back at second-tier level.