Bruce leaves Blues for Latics
Steve Bruce has been in charge at St Andrews since 2001
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Monday, 19, Nov 2007 10:56
Wigan Athletic have filled their vacant managerial position with Steve Bruce, who has left fellow Premier League strugglers Birmingham City.
Reports suggest Blues will receive around £3 million in compensation for the man who has been in charge at St Andrews for the last six years.
He takes up the reins at the JJB Stadium with the side languishing in the relegation zone after a run of seven consecutive defeats, including a 3-2 reverse against Bruce's former club last month.
The ex-Manchester United defender replaces Chris Hutchings, who left the Latics after only 14 games in charge.
Hutchings himself stepped into the shoes of Paul Jewell at the end of last season and had a difficult task emulating a manager who had guided the club into the Premier League and struck up an enviable working relationship with club chairman Dave Whelan.
Whelan, who revealed the appointment of Bruce today, even admitted that he had earmarked the Birmingham manager as his first choice to replace Jewell last season before settling on Hutchings.
"From the very outset he was the one to replace Paul Jewell, so I'm delighted we've got him," the Latics supremo told Sky Sports.
"It's a big loss for Birmingham and a terrific signing for Wigan Athletic."
Bruce has managed at the JJB Stadium before, taking the club to the playoffs in the old second division in 2001 before he left for Crystal Palace the same summer.
He spent a further four months at Selhurst Park before moving to Birmingham, guiding the Midlands side to the Premier League in his first season in charge.
"Steve is one of the best young managers in the land, along with Mark Hughes," Whelan continued.
"[Manchester United manager] Sir Alex Ferguson will always tell you those two boys are quality.
"He'll bring enthusiasm, knowledge and sprit. Our team will start to fight again immediately and together we have to make Wigan what it was once - a fighting team."