[Brasil]

Bruce confirmed as Wigan manager


Written by: AFP

Former Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce leaves the field after a match with Manchester United at Old Trafford, 2006. Bruce was confirmed as the new manager of Wigan Athetic by chairman Dave Whelan. LONDON (AFP) - Steve Bruce was confirmed as the new manager of Wigan Athetic by chairman Dave Whelan on Monday. Whelan told Sky Sports News that the club had paid fellow Premiership strugglers Birmingham City three million pounds (6.1 million dollars) in compensation to bring former Manchester United defender Bruce from St Andrews, where he has 19 months left on his contract, to the JJB Stadium. Bruce, who has been waiting for six months to seal a new deal at Birmingham, had been destined for the exit ever since Wigan, who sacked Chris Hutchings at the start of the month, made their interest clear. Whelan added he hoped to also bring Eric Black, Bruce's Birmingham assistant to Wigan. But he said he was sympathetic to the position of the Midlands side where a proposed takeover by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung has still to be finalised. "When Paul Jewell decided he was not going to come back I was a little bit disappointed but Steve Bruce is the guy we wanted," said Whelan. "I'm delighted we've got him, I think he's a big loss for Birmingham and a big signing for Wigan Athletic. "He'll be a fantastic signing for Wigan Athletic," Whelan added. "He's one of the best young managers in the land, I'm delighted we've got him and he'll bring enthusiasm, knowledge and spirit to our team." "We have a good team now, we have some good players. We've had some bad luck with injuries and when Steve comes in he I know he will want a midfield player and maybe a striker - and I will be backing him exactly the same way I did with Paul Jewell." Whelan, confirming the three million pounds compensation payment, also said: "We've got to do the right thing for Birmingham and (co-owner) David Sullivan has been a good and honest man all through the dealings." Whelan remains hopeful that Black will also join Wigan. "I understand Birmingham have got a short-term problem in that there is uncertainty in terms of who is going to own the club - if people want to buy the club they should get on and do it. "But we would like Eric Black to come as our assistant manager, I am confident we will get him but I understand he has got to stay there for a week or a fortnight. But he will be coming to us." Of Bruce's previous stint with Wigan, at the end of the 2000-01 season, Whelan added: "I was annoyed when he walked away but I didn't give him a contract and he came for the last six weeks of season. "He did a super job and got an offer from Crystal Palace which he wanted to take. I was disappointed to lose him but I'm delighted he's come back to us. "My message to the fans is 'support your team'. We need every bit of support we can get but we've got a brilliant manager now and together we have to make Wigan what it once was - a fighting team. "Under Steve Bruce we know Wigan will be a fighting team. "What he earns he deserves - he will keep us out of relegation problems and all the fans will be delighted we've got him." Bruce has been Birmingham manager for nearly six years. Wigan - hoping to stay up for the third straight season - are currently second from bottom in the Premiership while Birmingham are just three points above the relegation zone. If the deal is tied up before the weekend, Bruce's first game in his second spell as Wigan manager will be Saturday's match away to league leaders Arsenal.