Source: Daily_Mail
Alex McLeish gets another shot at Birmingham
ShareAlex McLeish was given the chance to return Birmingham City to the Barclays Premier League within 24 hours of relegation after owner Carson Yeung decided to stand by his man. [LNB]However, the offer to remain came with a clear hint that the Scot will be under threat if it does not look as though the club will make an instant return. [LNB]And given a backdrop of financial uncertainty, anxious owners, a Europa League campaign and the likely revamp of his squad, McLeish has his work cut out. [LNB]Here, Neil Moxley looks at the issues facing Big 'Eck's newly demoted side.[LNB] Still in with a shout: McLeish has a good record of winning promotion [LNB]The manager: Until Sunday, McLeish's record had been pretty good. Promotion in his first full season, the best top-flight finish for 50 years in his second and the Carling Cup in his third. [LNB]Now, however, the ambitious Glaswegian may have to wait a while longer for a shot at one of the bigger clubs. [LNB]He has masterminded promotion pushes at both Hibs and Birmingham before and will fancy his chances of repeating that with sufficient support. [LNB] Horses for course: Despite relegation at Tottenham, McLeish has the know-how to bring them back up[LNB]The owners: Yeung wants to sell Birmingham City to the Chinese market and cannot do that if the club remain in the npower Championship. [LNB]In fairness, McLeish was in situ when Yeung bought the club for ?81.5million and the new owner resisted the temptation to make a change, although Birmingham went on a 15-game unbeaten run immediately after the takeover.[LNB] Dilemma: Yeung wants the build the club's popularity in China, but needs top flight football to do so - the Carling Cup is not enough[LNB] Europe: Further muddying the waters is the fact that the club will be participating in the Europa League next season. Birmingham have one play-off double-header to overcome before they will be allowed into the group stages. [LNB]That could add a minimum of six games to a 46-match campaign that is generally accepted to be the footballing equivalent of trench warfare. [LNB]This will have significant impact as the supporters - if not the club - are genuinely excited by the prospect of European football. It places further tension on a budget and playing staff that will come under huge pressure at the start of next season. [LNB] Happier times: The victory at Wembley heralded a dramatic Premier League slump [LNB]The finances: Despitethe benefit of a parachute payment of around ?16m, the club are staringat a ?25m revenue shortfall in the coming 12 months. [LNB]Thereis already a ?17.5m black hole in the latest accounts of Birmingham International Holdings, the parent company. The groundsman is still waiting for the approval to buy grass seed for the training ground. [LNB]Thecashflow forecasts in those audited figures make no mention of relegation. So the financial picture could be far worse than it seems. [LNB]Actingchairman Peter Pannu's statement on Monday suggested that 'procedures will be implemented to ensure a speedy return'. Presumably, that entailssignificant backing this summer. If not, McLeish could find himself in trouble. [LNB]Players: Birmingham have not renewed three contracts - Stuart Parnaby, Kevin Phillips and Lee Bowyer - while they have little chance of retaining Seb Larsson, and Ben Foster is an obvious target. [LNB]One of the main reasons why Birmingham were relegated was the failure of McLeish's loan signings. David Bentley, Alexander Hleb, Matt Derbyshire and Obafemi Martins scored one Premier League goal between them. [LNB] Heading for the exit: Foster (right) and Bowyer (left) have most likely played their last games for the Blues[LNB]Where do they go next: McLeish will have a clearer idea of where the club are heading in the next 24 hours following his meeting with Pannu, at which he will ask for the money to help him retain and recruit key players. [LNB]Whether Birmingham can do that is another issue. However, it is worth noting that every time the Chinese owners have promised to come up with the cash, it has appeared. Obviously, neither side is totally happy with the other at the moment. [LNB]And although there is some argument over exactly how much Yeung has spent, there can be little doubt that McLeish certainly had backing to improve his squad 12 months ago. [LNB] McLeish to stay as Birmingham boss despite dropping out of Premier LeagueBlackpool and Birmingham feel the pain as Wolves, Wigan and Blackburn party All the latest Birmingham City news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: David Bentley, Stuart Parnaby, Lee Bowyer, Matt Derbyshire, Kevin Phillips, Alex McLeish, Obafemi Martins, Ben Foster Places: Birmingham, China, Europe
