Black to Join Bruce at Wigan

Birmingham caretaker manager Eric Black has left the midlands club and intends to link up with his former boss Steve Bruce at Wigan. Black ended his association with Blues earlier today after a brief spell in charge as caretaker boss.

The way now appears clear for Birmingham to step up their plans to bring in Scotland manager Alex McLeish as Bruce's replacement. Black was understood last week to be a strong contender to become Bruce's successor when the former boss at St Andrews left for Wigan earlier this month, and he was in charge for Saturday's home defeat against Portsmouth. But a meeting with the Birmingham board after the 2-0 defeat left Black with no assurances over his future and now he has decided to call time on his two-and-a-half-year tenure at St Andrews.

Black has built up a close bond with Bruce after becoming his No2 in succession to Mark Bowen, who has since joined Blackburn. It is understood that City are confident of being given permission by the Scottish Football Association to speak to McLeish despite initial public statements to the contrary.

McLeish would cost City around £m in compensation but that would not be a problem as they received £3m from Wigan as compensation for Bruce's departure.