New Sheffield Wednesday manager Garry Monk has admitted that it was "very strange" to be without a job in the summer, after being sacked by Birmingham City in June.

The 40-year-old saved Blues from relegation in the 2017/18 campaign after a nightmare season under Harry Redknapp and Steve Cotterill, and then turned the club around after a couple of turbulent years.

Birmingham sat within touching distance of the play-off spots at the turn of the year, before they were hit with a nine-point deduction by the EFL for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.

Monk was then relieved of his duties by the West Midlands outfit after his relationship with the board seemingly broke down, and had been without a job since becoming Steve Bruce's successor at Hillsborough.

Reflecting on his sacking at Birmingham and life away from management, Monk admitted that it was "very strange" to be without a job during the summer.

He told the Sheffield Star: "It was very strange being off over the summer, but I used it as a positive in the sense that it gave me time to go and watch a lot of games.

"A lot of the time you are only really watching or trying to prepare for the game in front of you or maybe two to three games in front of you at the club you are at.

"I have watched a variety of football. I watched a lot of Championship games as well other games to see how clubs are working and try and get a gauge on that."

Monk's first game as Owls manager will come in a Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Town this Sunday - the Terriers occupy 23rd spot in the Championship table, and are without a manager following the dismissal of Jan Siewert last month.

The Verdict

I think Monk is held in high regard at Birmingham given the job he did under tight resources and tough conditions off the pitch.

Birmingham could, and probably would have finished in the top six places had they not been deducted points - they would have been well up there for sure.

I think that he's a shrewd appointment for the Owls and I would back him to be a success at Hillsborough.