New Birmingham City manager Gianfranco Zola has insisted that he has sympathy with his predecessor Gary Rowett following his shock sacking by the club.

Rowett was dismissed from his post on Wednesday with the Blues only outside the playoff places on goal difference, with Zola being confirmed as his successor later that night.

The decision to get rid of Rowett has been questioned after he helped turn the club from relegation battlers to promotion contenders, and Zola admitted that was a tough decision to accept the job under the circumstances.

"Look, I do have sympathy for him. I've been in this kind of position myself so I know what it feels like. He has my respect because I feel he has done a good job here. But I'm a professional too," he told reporters.

"I feel for a colleague who has lost his job, but life goes on. I'm sure Gary will find a good job. When I was asked if I wanted the job, it wasn't easy because of the other manager but you make that consideration.

"But it was an interesting job and I decided to accept it. I'll do my best to make sure it was the right decision. I haven't spoken to him but I will try to. We're both professionals and part of the job is to go through these things. If I feel right I will give him a call and extend my sympathy to him."

Zola's first match in charge of the club comes against high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.