AFP,  LONDON: Steve Cotterill has been sacked by the Chinese owners of English second-tier club Birmingham City, according to British media reports.

Both the BBC and Britain's Press Association said Cotterill, 53, had been dismissed following Birmingham's 2-1 Championship loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday -- their fifth straight defeat.

There was, as yet, no official confirmation from Birmingham that Cotterill had left the club.

Going down to their Midlands rivals left Birmingham third from bottom in the table, two points shy of safety.

Saturday’s reverse came after Cotterill had insisted earlier in the week that he had positive talks with the club's Chinese owners, Trillion Trophy Asia.

Cotterill replaced Harry Redknapp after the veteran former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth manager lasted just 13 games spread across two seasons.

Redknapp arrived at Birmingham for the final three games of last season -- with Cotterill his assistant -- and helped the Blues avoid relegation.