Bruce reveals contract concern

Steve Bruce has admitted he is unsure whether he has a future at Birmingham as he waits to see if new prospective owner Carson Yeung will approve his new contract.

Bruce expects to know by Friday whether Yeung, who is expected to complete his takeover of Blues in the next couple of months, gives the green light to a deal which he has been waiting to sign since the end of last season.

But the former Manchester United skipper is aware “a new broom always wants to sweep clean” and that Hong Kong businessman Yeung may look to bring in his own choice as manager.

Bruce told the Birmingham Mail: “I agreed my contract with the existing board in May. Now we’re in the process of a takeover, things have been put on hold.

“It was presented to the Chinese at the weekend so I’m waiting and by Friday, I believe, there will be some sort of decision on it.

“I’ve been patient enough. I’ve waited four months as it is! So I will see what happens and in the meantime I will carry on preparing the team as I always do.

“I have made it clear that I would like to stay and see it through but I am also wary that a new broom always wants to sweep clean.

“If that’s the decision, then I will abide by that too. I am a big boy. We will know more by the weekend, I guess.

“I understand that when someone new comes in, spending a lot of money to take the club, they might have their own ideas.

“I believe I remain the right man for this job. I have been here coming up to six years and there is something about Birmingham that’s got me inside and keeps endearing me after all this time.”

Whatever happens over his own future, Bruce believes the uncertainty over whether the takeover will go ahead – and when – needs to be resolved.

He wants to bring in a top-class striker in January but cannot start making plans while his own and the club’s future is up in the air.

Bruce said: “Nobody likes uncertainty – supporters, players, management - anyone. I don’t think anybody is sure what’s going to happen with Mr Yeung, full stop. That’s the frustrating thing.

“You have got to plan ahead in this game. We should be planning about how we are going to strengthen, whether we are going to strengthen. The sooner we know the better.

“Mikael Forssell is a worry to me (with his injuries.) Rowan Vine has gone out on loan. You don’t have to be a genius to see where I’m looking at doing something. These things need to be addressed.”

Bruce also believes if his days are numbered then his successor will have a promising group of players to work with.

He said: “I had a horrible six months here when we got relegated. I have tried my utmost to redeem it. I have had a lot of help from my staff and this new squad of players.

“But to get promotion under the circumstances, that everybody in this area knows about, wasn’t easy.

“I think you can see that this team – whether I remain or it’s someone else - is in very good nick. We have got a young group of players who are fantastic to work with.

“I’d like to think that I’d get the opportunity to see it through and see how far we can eventually go. I’m refreshed by them and I think the fans are.”