Bruce confirmed as Latics boss
Steve Bruce has finally confirmed his place at the JJB Stadium
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Friday, 23, Nov 2007 06:06
Wigan Athletic have confirmed that Steve Bruce has now put pen to paper on a contract to become the club's new manager and will take charge on Monday.
The 46-year-old will be unveiled next week at a press conference at the JJB Stadium.
Caretaker manager Frank Barlow will remain in charge of first-team affairs for this Saturday's trip to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium after negotiations with Bruce were not concluded in time to allow sufficient preparation time in training today.
As such, the club said, Bruce felt it was in the team's best interests to stick with Barlow this weekend before he takes over, although the former Birmingham City manager will be in the stands tomorrow.
The former Crystal Palace boss, who had been in charge of Blues since 2001, was due to be presented to the press at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday after opting to take charge of the club he managed for a matter of weeks at the end of the 2000/2001 season.
However it was then announced by Wigan that an unspecified "issue" had arisen between Birmingham and Bruce, meaning the move was put on hold.
Bruce's departure from St Andrews has led to a great deal of speculation regarding the appointment of a new manager at the Midlands club.
A number of high-profile names have been mentioned, including Italy's World Cup-winning former coach Marcelo Lippi, Scotland manager Alex McLeish and former Tottenham Hotspur boss Martin Jol.