Clark delighted with Blues backing for Bruce

The League Managers Association have welcomed the Birmingham board’s “refreshing” pronouncements of loyalty to manager Steve Bruce.

Blues chairman David Gold has insisted the club will not sack Bruce even if the club, currently 19th in the Barclays Premiership, are relegated.

LMA vice-chairman Frank Clark was encouraged by the attitude of Gold and co-owner David Sullivan towards the manager, who led the club to the top flight in 2002.

“It’s fantastic to hear. I can understand David Sullivan expressing his frustration and I can imagine everyone connected with the club is very frustrated, but to come out with words of support is a welcome change,” Clark told PA Sport.

“Steve has done a terrific job at Birmingham and it is refreshing to see a board of directors looking long-term and not engaging in knee-jerk reactions.

“It’s the simplest thing in the world when results aren’t going well to say ‘let’s sack the manager’ but it’s a welcome change to see a board of directors who are prepared to look beyond that.”