Blues want impact from new boss
McLeish has been linked to the vacant position at Birmingham City
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Saturday, 24, Nov 2007 09:47
Birmingham City have announced they plan to install a replacement for departing manager Steve Bruce within the next week.
Bruce officially signed as the new manager of Wigan yesterday leaving the Blues without a coach for their game against Portsmouth today.
Eric Black, Bruce's former assistant, has been put in caretaker charge until a suitable replacement is found.
The Blues are keen to secure a long-term successor to Bruce and are determined that the successful candidate must be able to commit to improving the current team as other mangers have in the past.
A club statement said: "Birmingham City's board has appointed just three managers in the past 14 and a half years.
"Each of those managers made improvements on their predecessor and took the club forward.
"The board will appoint a new manager within the next week and is looking forward to working with someone who can have an equally positive impact."
It is rumoured that the Blues are interested in approaching Scotland manager Alex McLeish but are yet to make a formal bid to the Scottish Football Association (SFA), which McLeish is still contracted to.
The former Rangers boss has become an attractive option for Premier League clubs seeking a manager following his success with the national team.
And with qualification for Euro 2008 finished the Blues may feel that now is an opportune time to approach McLeish and the SFA.
Birmingham are currently 15th in the league having taken 11 points from 13 matches but have only won once in their last seven Premier League outings.