Wigan chief hopeful of completing Bruce switch

WIGAN chairman Dave Whelan is hopeful of confirming Steve Bruce as the club’s new manager today.

Bruce was due to be appointed yesterday, but that has been put on hold due to an issue between the 46-year-old and former club Birmingham.

The matter is understood to be regarding a severance payment Bruce feels he is entitled to, although Wigan refused to divulge details as to why their season had suddenly been thrown into limbo.

So instead of a press conference with Bruce at the helm, flanked by Whelan and chief executive Brenda Spencer, it was left to the latter to embarrassingly confirm the delay.

“Unfortunately an issue has arisen between Birmingham and Steve, and until that is resolved we can’t announce him as our manager,” stated Spencer, who added that Bruce was ‘‘very upset” about the delay.

“We have agreed compensation, but this issue is nothing to do with Wigan. It’s between Steve and Birmingham.

“Our chairman is desperate we have a manager in place, and he is hopeful something will happen in the next 24 hours.’’

Asked if Bruce’s plan to take Eric Black, his number two at St Andrews, with him to the JJB Stadium had influenced the delay, Spencer replied: “It is nothing to do with anything else. It’s just between Birmingham and Steve.”

If the appointment does eventually go through, Bruce will sign a three-year deal, with Blues to receive £3million (€4.1m) compensation.

Wigan will initially pay £2m (€2.7m), with a further £1m (€1.3m) due at the end of the season should Bruce keep Wigan up.

Meanwhile Italy’s World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi has rejected the chance to replace Bruce at Birmingham City.

Blues co-owner David Sullivan confirmed Blues had spoken with Lippi who enjoyed great success at club level with Juventus before leading Italy to football’s ultimate prize in 2006.

Sullivan has been true to his word after claiming City would attempt to bring in “a top foreign coach” and not many have greater credentials than Lippi who is currently taking a break from the game.

Sullivan told the Birmingham Mail: “We made an approach and Lippi turned it down. This is not a stunt. It’s genuine.

“He is available at the moment and we are looking at bringing in a manager of his stature and calibre, if at all possible.

“He was one of the first we went to but unfortunately nothing materialised.

“Of course, you get knock-backs. That’s football. But if you do not try you will never know. It was the same with Martin Jol. It made sense for us to approach him.

“We are juggling other balls in the air at the moment and we will see which ones land. I want to stress to our supporters that we are working very, very hard to bring in the right man.

“Until you get to meet them and speak to them, you can never be quite sure. But it won’t be for a lack of trying, believe me. We are determined to find a manager who would create a bit of a stir and excite people.”