Following the departure of Garry Monk, Birmingham have moved quickly to put their management team in for next season.

In a statement on the club's website issued on Thursday night, The Blues confirmed that Pep Clotet has stepped up from role as assistant manager to take the role of caretaker head coach, but that the club are not currently looking for an alternative permanent head coach to take over at St Andrew's.

That approach certainly makes this an interesting situation at the club heading into next season, and we've taken a more in depth look at it here in our latest Six Point Opinion piece.

Firstly, who is supporting Clotet in his backroom team?

"As well as Clotet, a number of other backroom figures have retained their roles at the club.

"James Beattie remains as first team coach, with Darryl Flahavan continuing in his role as goalkeeping coach.

"As well as retaining the majority of their backroom staff, midfielder Craig Gardner, 124 appearances in all competitions during three spells at the club, has also stepped up to a player coach role."

Is Clotet a good appointment for Birmingham then?

"It may not be the best appointment.

"Although he has been around for some time, Clotet has very little experience of managing in the Football League, with a only a brief spell in charge of Oxford to his name.

"During that spell, Clotet won 12 and lost 14 of his 36 games in charge of the League One side, which may not be the sort of record that will instil a huge amount of confidence in Birmingham fans as he prepares to make the step up to Championship management."

Were there other managers Birmingham could have considered?

"There are certainly people out there.

"Former Blues manager Chris Hughton is available having left Brighton at the end of last season, and has experience of both getting clubs promoted from the Championship and keeping them in the Premier League.

"He appears to be the stand out choice amongst fans of many Championship sides who are changing manager this summer, although as with several others, Birmingham have chosen to go elsewhere."

Would other managers have been interested in the Birmingham job?

"This could actually be one to avoid for managers.

"In recent years both Gary Rowett and now Garry Monk have been sacked by the club despite impressive spells in charge at St Andrew's that have put the club in promising positions, and that is likely to be taken into consideration by anyone offered the role at St Andrew's from now on.

"Add on the difficulty of coping with Birmingham's precarious and much discussed financial situation, this may not be a job many managers want to stake their reputation on."

Are there any benefits to this appointment for Birmingham?

"There are definitely some positives.

"Making this appointment so quickly means that the club can immediately start planning for next season, rather than having to hunt around for a new manager first.

"It also means that those making the decisions are well familiarised with the club, and will know just what they need to target in the transfer window and focus on in preparation for next season."

Finally, what should Birmingham's aim be for next season now?

"It has to be consolidation in the Championship.

"Birmingham had been outsiders for a play-off spot before their points deduction last season, but that will surely be forgotten about now.

"As well as losing Monk, who guided Birmingham so well in difficult circumstances, The Blues could be facing the prospect of losing one of last season's key players, with Premier League sides reportedly circling around Che Adams.

"Losing Adams would be a huge blow on the pitch, and with that financial situation making it difficult to bring in too many new signings, you feel many Blues fans would be happy with a comfortable mid-table campaign next season."