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Former Birmingham City midfielder Craig Gardner has been appointed as the club's technical director.

The club said Gardner's role would include recruitment and player development, with his appointment part of a wider restructuring process.

Gardner was previously Blues manager Lee Bowyer's assistant.

"I have to make life as easy as possible for Lee [Bowyer] so he can focus all of his efforts with the players out on the pitch," he said.

The 34-year-old made 105 appearances as a player over two spells, before rejoining the club's coaching team earlier this year following a short spell with Sheffield Wednesday.