Former Bristol City first-team coach Keith Downing is reportedly set to join the new regime at Birmingham City, according to reports.
City's Championship rivals appointed former midfielder John Eustace on a three-year deal on Sunday to become their new manager following Lee Bowyer's sacking just 24 hours earlier.
Downing is out of work having recently left a similar role at Plymouth at end of the season after just five months at Home Park. The 56-year-old, who is based in the Midlands, put the decision to leave the League One side down the the "tough geographical location" of being away from his family and therefore a move to Birmingham to work alongside Eustace would suit both parties.
TalkSPORT's Alex Crook revealed the news, writing on social media: "Hearing Keith Downing will be John Eustace's assistant at Birmingham City while club legend Maik Taylor will also be part of the backroom staff."
Downing joined City in 2020 alongside Paul Simpson as assistant to Dean Holden but his role was effectively demoted to first-team coach following Nigel Pearson's appointment with the current Robins manager bringing in Curtis Fleming. The duo spent five more weeks at Ashton Gate until they negotiated a severance pay for the early termination of their contracts.
He left Ashton Gate in October 2021 and had two months out of the game before joining Ryan Lowe's Plymouth - with the latter soon making the move to Preston North End with Steven Schumacher taking the job.
Upon leaving Plymouth, Downing said: "I have loved being at Argyle and think it’s an incredible club with incredible people. Steven is a really talented and progressive young coach, and it is a very, very good team.
"I am sorry we couldn’t cross the line, but we gave it a good go and I am very proud of that.
"We have had discussions over the last couple of weeks and the decision to leave wasn't taken lightly. It has been tough geographically for me and my family and I have to make the right decision for them."
Birmingham City remain in a huge predicament behind the scenes with the club's current ownership looking to sell up. Former Watford owner Laurence Bassini looked the most likely candidate to take over but his period of exclusivity ended after missing several deadlines.
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