Steve Bruce[Coach]

[Freddy Adu]

Jerome fears for Birmingham post-Bruce

Birmingham City striker Cameron Jerome believes there could be repercussions if manager Steve Bruce is allowed to move to Wigan Athletic.

The England Under 21 international said: "It's a real shock to all the lads. It will be a massive blow if the gaffer and his assistant go.

"It's the last thing we expected. We thought it was all going OK with the takeover and the gaffer would definitely be staying.

"We know we have not had the best of results but I think everyone can see it is promising. There's a great team spirit, but we are wondering what will happen. The worry is that this could affect us on the field. We can't really do much about it, so we will just have to get on with things as best we can.

"I suppose you have to accept that things like this happen, but it has all come out of the blue. I'll be sad to see the manager go. He brought me here and he's shown faith in me in the Premier League. I'll always be grateful for that."

[Freddy Adu]

Jewell early candidate for Birmingham job

Paul Jewell is an early candidate for Steve Bruce's job at Birmingham City.

Bruce is set to move to Wigan Athletic in the coming days and The Sun says Jewell is a candidate for a move to St Andrews.

Jewell is being linked with a host of vacant posts, including jobs with Preston and the Republic of Ireland.

However, he is quite happy to bide his time, knowing he is in big demand at the moment.

And if the Birmingham job does become free, he could find himself top of their wanted list.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham board need Yeung permission over new manager

Birmingham City's current board will need approval from Carson Yeung before naming a replacement for Wigan Athletic-bound Steve Bruce.

The current board have already been frustrated in seeing Yeung block the new contract they had agreed six months ago with Bruce - a major factor in his deciding to quit with Wigan poised to appoint him as successor to Chris Hutchings next week.

Now, legally, co-owner David Sullivan and chairman David Gold have to get the agreement of Yeung to bring in a replacement as he is City's major shareholder with 29.9%.

It means if Yeung digs his heels in, City might not be able to appoint a new manager until any takeover goes through.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham threaten 'gardening leave' for Black

Birmingham City are determined to stop assistant manager Eric Black following Steve Bruce to Wigan Athletic.

The Mirror says Birmingham supremo David Sullivan last night threatened to put Black on gardening leave to stop the Scot walking out on City.

Blues have given boss Bruce, 46, in charge at St Andrews since December 2001, permission to speak to their Premier League rivals about becoming their new manager after accepting a huge compensation package.

And Bruce is set to be unveiled at the JJB Stadium next week on a bumper four-year deal worth around 2million a year when Latics owner Dave Whelan returns from his Barbados holiday home. But Birmingham's hierarchy, who met at Sullivan's Essex mansion yesterday, are determined to hang on to Black as they want him to be their caretaker boss.

Former Coventry manager Black, 44, who is on a 12-month rolling contract, is a vital cog at the club.

He is tactically astute and can speak to Birmingham's foreign stars in several languages.

And Birmingham know without the highly-rated coach they will find it very difficult to attract a capable replacement while there is so much uncertainty surrounding the club due to Carson Yeung's protracted takeover.

[Freddy Adu]

Birmingham reserves boss Bertschin also wants Wigan move

Birmingham City risk losing reserve-team boss Keith Bertschin to Wigan Athletic, along with manager Steve Bruce and No2 Eric Black.

The Mail on Sunday says Birmingham want Black to move into a caretaker role but he is keen on moving to JJB Stadium along with Bertschin.

Negotiations are continuing between the two clubs and, if a satisfactory agreement is reached, academy director Terry Westley could be in charge for next Saturday's home Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth.

[Freddy Adu]

Wigan chairman Whelan: No Birmingham agreement for Black

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan admits there's no agreement in-place for Birmingham City assistant manager Eric Black to follow Steve Bruce to the JJB stadium.

The St Andrews board are keen to retain the services of Black to ensure some continuity as plans for appointing Bruce's replacement remain in the balance while uncertainty over the proposed takeover by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung continues.

"Eric Black has to be agreed between Steve and the management," explained Whelan.

"I understand Birmingham want some continuity. He wants to come with Steve because a team always stays together.

"Whether he will come immediately I don't know.

"It is a mess when you are looking for a new manager. Everything is stirred up. It is never a happy time and the sooner it is over and Steve joins us I will be a very happy man."

[Freddy Adu]

Gold defends Birmingham board

Birmingham City chairman David Gold has defended his board as they prepare to lose manager Steve Bruce to Wigan Athletic.

Blues are stepping up their bid to try to keep hold of Bruce's assistant Eric Black while they look for a replacement for the former Manchester United captain.

But it could be a long drawn-out process as prospective new owner Carson Yeung has to approve any potential candidates - and there is increasing doubt that he will be unable to raise the necessary funds to take full control of City.

Gold would only say: "It is a confusing situation and these are difficult times. We are doing our best to resolve all of these issues."

Academy director Terry Westley is expected to be in charge of team affairs for Saturday's home clash with Portsmouth if Black leaves Birmingham.

But a source close to the club told PA Sport: "What manager in his right mind is going to want to come to Birmingham as things currently stand?

"He might join on Monday and then be sacked next month if Carson Yeung somehow manages to raise the funds needed to buy Birmingham.

"It is a nightmare situation for the club, who only six months ago were euphoric after gaining promotion back to the Premier League. Now it all looks to be falling apart."

[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.

[Freddy Adu]

Wigan boss Steve Bruce on his opposite number:
"We've had a few tussles over the years, and he's won a few and I've won a few. It's been enjoyable.

"Whenever you face one of Gary's teams you know they will be well organised, hard to beat and very hard working.

"To be fair to Gary, he has gone in there and shook them up a bit and got them playing the way he wants to play."