Birmingham ready to tie down manager McLeish to contract extension

Birmingham are set to offer a new contract to manager Alex McLeishafter he expressed a desire to sign an extended deal with the midlandsclub.  Blues chief executive Michael Dunford confirmed owner Carson Yeungand the new board at St Andrew's want to 'tie down' McLeish and hisbackroom staff on a long-term basis. Contract extension: Birmingham want to tie down Alex McLeish BIRMINGHAM CITY FC: All the latest news from across the webPortsmouth v Birmingham Premier League clash postponedBack off, Birmingham: Bhoys insist Aiden McGeady deal is a non-starterMcLeish led Birmingham to promotion from the Coca Cola Championship last season and has steered them into the top ten of the Barclays Premier League during the current campaign after a 12 game unbeaten run - a club record in the top flight.The former Scotland and Rangers boss has 18 months remaining of his current contract and has been linked with a move to Liverpool if Rafael Benitez's services are dispensed with.   Dunford said: 'The new board will look at their assets - and Alex McLeish and his staff are prime assets - and will address the contract situation.  'Like any business, you want to tie down your best assets, your best people, and we are no exception.   'I am sure there will be discussions with Alex and his team by the end of the season.'Dunford added: 'They (the board) will also be looking at the contracts of players who are out of contract this summer, or the following year, that Alex wants to keep.'McLeish joined City just over two years ago as a replacement for Steve Bruce and has often spoken of building for the long term at St Andrew's.   He said: 'I've still got 18 months left on my contract, I'd like to think there is scope there for us to extend that. We are laying foundations here.'  

Source: Daily_Mail