Garry Monk has issued a statement to Birmingham City fans in the aftermath of his sacking from the club on Tuesday afternoon.

The club announced they had parted company with Monk after just over 15 months in charge, despite the fact he led the Blues to Championship safety following a nine-point deduction.

The decision received backlash from Birmingham fans on Twitter, and Monk has now had his say on the decision by releasing a statement on his personal Twitter account.

In the message, Monk thanked the fans for their support during his reign and he also expressed his disappointment at the decision to relieve him of his duties.

Monk also added: "I am aware of certain disappointing comments the club has made in the wake of my dismissal. Mindful of my contractual obligations, it is not my intention, certainly at this stage, to engage with those comments. I would rather focus on the many positives I have experienced in my time with Birmingham City FC."

The 40-year-old was originally appointed in March 2018 and he let the Blues to Championship safety in the final 11 games of the season, before dealing with financial adversity to secure a 17th-placed finish in the following season.

The Verdict

I think Monk's dismissal was a totally unjustified decision given his achievements at the club, and Monk's statement suggests he is in agreement.

It is classy of Monk to acknowledge the importance of the Birmingham fans in helping the side during his time with the club, and it is also a good decision at this stage to avoid criticising the club chiefs too much in the message.

Monk has clearly developed a strong relationship with the Blues fan base, and I believe the club will find it difficult to recruit a manager who can recreate this bond.

However, I don't think the club will be too concerned about this. The statement they released earlier this week suggests their main concern is recruiting a manager who can simply adhere to the identity they want to create at the club, and it looks like this will be their main focus in the hiring process.