Soccer: Bruce to leave Palace?

Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan does not understand why manager Steve Bruce would want to leave Selhurst Park for Birmingham.

Jordan has refused the Midlands club permission to approach Bruce, who they want as replacement for Trevor Francis.

The Palace supremo has also refused to accept Bruce's subsequent resignation and has suspended the former Manchester United skipper from first team duties.

Assistant boss Steve Kember and Terry Bullivant are in charge for Saturday's trip to Walsall.

Jordan has also insisted that the 40-year-old Bruce is tied to a three-year contract and will have to see out a "significant notice period".

"Steve approached me again on Friday and I reinforced my position in not giving him permission to speak to Birmingham and he said I was forcing him to resign," Jordan said.

"I told him that was not the case but that if he did (resign) then he still had an obligation to us.

"Your guess is as good as mine as to why he wants to leave. I honestly don't know.

"I'm sure he has his own agenda, but he came to us and is doing a very good job. The team is successful, the players are high quality - I cannot for the life of me understand why he should think Birmingham are a bigger club with better players."