Birmingham City FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Alex McLeish

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McLeish opens new deal talks

18 Feb 2010 - 11:30:43

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Alex McLeish has confirmed that he has already held talks with the Birmingham City hierarchy about extending his stay at St Andrew's.

The former Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers and Scotland manager was installed as Blues boss in November 2007 and, despite failing to halt their slide to the Championship at the end of the 2007-08 campaign, he masterminded their immediate return to the Premier League.

This term he has confounded the club's critics to lead City into the top half of the table, impressing his new bosses in the process.

McLeish has spoken with chief executive Michael Dunford and vice-chairman Peter Pannu over a new deal and is now set to talk to club owner Carson Yeung.

He said: "It was a very good meeting. I plan on staying at Birmingham. I see my future here and I'm sure we can work something out. I believe we can all go forward together - myself and my staff, the players and Carson and the board.

"I've enjoyed working for Carson since the takeover and there's a great atmosphere and ambience about the club, a real feel-good factor. We're on the same wavelength and they've done everything they can so far to help me. I've no complaints.

"It isn't just a case of backing me on the team and players, but the infrastructure as well, which they've recognised and provided assistance with.

"Unless you have everything right off the field, and unless you have everybody pulling the same way, it makes it that much harder sometimes."