Birmingham have made the right decision to keep their manager – but Albion will relish the challenge of playing them in the Championship.

That is the view of Seagulls boss Gus Poyet after Blues, Blackpool and West Ham joined his side in the second tier.

Alex McLeish has been confirmed as boss at St Andrew’s next season but been told he is expected to win immediate promotion.

Poyet said: “They kept him on last time they went down so I’m not surprised.

“It’s a great decision. I suppose it’s strange because sometimes managers do their jobs and are sacked, sometimes they don’t do well and keep their jobs.

“That’s why it is so unpredictable. But it’s easy for me to say that as a manager.”

Poyet has played down suggestions that the relegation of relatively low-budget Blackpool is good news for other Championship teams.

He said: “Blackpool are very good to watch but I don’t think there is one team I would prefer to play against.

“With West Ham and Birmingham, it will be like playing against Premier League clubs. It will be amazing. There will be great atmospheres, great stadiums, great games.