Birmingham set to unveil McLeish

Alex McLeish is set to continue the managerial merry-go-round on Wednesday by taking the helm at Birmingham City.

McLeish resigned as Scotland manager on Tuesday, and the Blues have called a news conference to announce the 48-year-old's arrival.

The former Rangers boss will replace Steve Bruce, who left St Andrews last week to take the vacant job at Wigan.

Andy Watson and Roy Aitken, McLeish's assistant coaches with Scotland, are also expected to join Birmingham.

By resigning from his post with Scotland, McLeish followed the likes of Steve McClaren, Billy Davies, Chris Hutchings and Martin Jol onto the job market.

But with his stock high after taking Scotland to within touching distance of Euro 2008 in a desperately difficult qualifying group, McLeish will not be out of work for long.

Reports suggest that the Scotsman will more than double his �350,000 annual salary by taking his first role in the Premier League.

The move will see McLeish renew his rivalry with former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, who now manages Birmingham's midlands rivals Aston Villa.

"If Birmingham get Alex, and people are saying that is the case, they'll be getting a very good manager, a very good manager indeed," said O'Neill on Tuesday.

"He was at Rangers when I was at Celtic and is a really fine manager, no question about that. If Birmingham get Alex's services, they will be doing very well indeed.

"I know the Scottish players have been very pleased with him and the Scottish FA will be disappointed to lose him.

"That's two really good managers they've had in recent times in Walter Smith and Alex. If Birmingham get the chance to take Alex, they should do it."

Bruce was Birmingham manager for nearly six years but businessman Carson Yeung's proposed takeover of City put his future at St Andrews in severe doubt.

Birmingham are 16th in the Premier League table with 11 points from 14 games since winning promotion from the Championship last season.

Source: BBC Sport