Alex McLeish to stay as Birmingham manager

23 May 2011 15:52
ShareCarson Yeung has given Alex McLeish the chance to lead Birmingham back into the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]The Hong Kong businessman has confirmed his backing for the Blues boss in the wake of the club's relegation.[LNB]A statement confirmed that McLeish would be in charge at the start of next season but stressed also that the tycoon expects an immediate return.[LNB]Short of points: Alex McLeish was powerless to stop Birmingham's slide into the Championship[LNB]Unpleasant viewing: Birmingham owner Carson Yeung (bottom row, centre) watches the defeat at Spurs[LNB]Acting chairman Peter Pannu said: 'The club can confirm that manager Alex McLeish's job is safe.[LNB]'But the board will expect him to lead the club back into the Barclays Premier League for the start of the 2012-13 season.[LNB]'The board will take stock of what went wrong this season and implement procedures to ensure a speedy return.[LNB]'Finally a word for our terrific supporters, who are no doubt feeling the pain today like everyone else connected with the club. [LNB]'Wethank you for your tremendous backing - something we are confident we will still have moving forward as we embark on looking to make an immediate return to the Barclays Premier League.'[LNB]Deadly double: Spurs' Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko scores his second to sink Birmingham[LNB]City crashed 2-1 at Tottenham in their final game of the season. Roman Pavlyuchenko fired the hosts ahead before Craig Gardner levelled but Spurs' Russian striker completed his double to bury Birmingham late on.[LNB]McLeish said: 'It's tough on us to be relegated but we don't lie down and bury our heads in the sand.  We've got to get on with the next challenge. We've got to show leadership.'[LNB]Birmingham's players turned up at theclub's Wast Hills training ground this morning (Monday) - some for the last time after being released.[LNB]Seb Larsson, Kevin Phillips, Stuart Parnaby and Lee Bowyer have not had their contracts renewed while loanees David Bentley, Alexander Hleb, Obafemi Martins and Matt Derbyshire will return to their parent clubs.[LNB]Hope: Craig Gardner scores Birmingham's goal at White Hart Lane - but it wasn't enough[LNB]Nowhere to hide: Blues defender Roger Johnson feels the pain as his side are relegated[LNB] Blackpool and Birmingham feel the pain as Wolves, Wigan and Blackburn party Tottenham 2 Birmingham 1: Roman double sends Blues downWatch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerSurvival Sunday: How the drama unfolded on the final day of the seasonAll the latest Birmingham news, features and opinion[LNB] 

Source: Daily_Mail