Bruce makes Blues exit
19 Nov 2007 - 13:41:46
Reports suggest Steve Bruce has left Birmingham City and is set to return to Wigan Athletic for a second spell as manager.
The former Manchester United stalwart had a brief spell in charge of Wigan in 2001 and had been manager at St Andrew's for almost six years.
However, it was uncertain whether Bruce would remain with the Blues if Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung's proposed takeover of the club goes through in January.
Bruce will succeed Chris Hutchings at the JJB Stadium after Latics chairman Dave Whelan missed out on his first choice - former boss Paul Jewell.
Whelan is also keen for Bruce's assistant manager Eric Black to join Wigan although reports suggest he is set to stay at St Andrew's.
The Latics chief had told the BBC on Sunday: "We look like we have a contract agreed but nothing's been signed.
"There's a clause and we have to honour that. We've agreed that with Birmingham. To get a manager of Steve's quality I think is a bargain.
"I understand Birmingham want some continuity. Eric Black wants to come with Steve because a team always stays together. Whether he will come immediately I don't know.
"It's a mess when you're looking for a new manager. Everything is stirred up. It's never a happy time and the sooner it's over and Steve joins us I'll be a very happy man."
