Birmingham City FC

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• Founded:1875
• Manager:Alex McLeish

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Livid McLeish denies rift

27 Jun 2009 - 12:45:50

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Fuming Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has slammed reports suggesting he did not want to sign Ecuadorian defender Giovanny Espinoza.

Espinoza's agent, Barry Silkman, had claimed in The Sun that he sealed the deal with City's co-owner David Sullivan after McLeish rejected the chance to sign the defender.

The newspaper claimed that McLeish was furious when he learned the transfer had gone through but, in a statement on City's official website, the former Scotland manager said: "The board have given me great backing so far, so I'm dismayed by claims in today's paper suggesting I'm not happy with the signing of Espinoza.

"The Espinoza deal made good financial sense for the club and, although he's a rookie in English terms, he has vast international experience and it will be up to the centre-backs to compete as I attempt to build a solid spine.

"There are absolutely no problems with the board. I'm happy with all the signings and happy with the support I've had from them, and to suggest otherwise is ridiculous.

"I'm also thankful that the board have indicated they'll support me further before the season begins as we build the club for the Premier League."