Sullivan Promises Birmingham Will Get Top Manager

Despite being turned down by Martin Jol, Birmingham City's co-owner David Sullivan has promised the club's fans that he will bring in a top manager to succeed Steve Bruce.


Following Steve Bruce's departure for Wigan after six years in charge of Birmingham City, and ex-Spus boss Martin Jol's polite refusal of the opportunity to replace him, the Blues urgently need a new manager at St Andrews.

But even though the club are in the middle of a propsed £50million takeover, co-owner David Sullivan says he is committed to finding the right man for the Birmingham job.

Sullivan told The Sun: “We spoke to Martin Jol over the weekend.

“He thanked us for our interest but said it was too early for him to consider coming back into football such a short time after leaving Spurs.

“That is the type of coach we are looking at. Someone with a pedigree that will excite the supporters.”

By actively pursuing a top manager immediately, Sullivan is sending a message to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, who is said to be struggling to raise the £35million needed to buy the Premier League club outright after having already paid £15million to acquire a 29.9% stake in City.

Yeung has already had a request to extend the December 20th deadline rejected by the club, and there are fears that he could be about to pull out of the deal.

The businessman is due to meet members of his consortium today to discuss what he perceives to be another snub from the Birmingham board.

With uncertainty about the club's likely ownership intensifying, Sullivan has decided to push ahead with the attempt to recruit a suitable successor to Bruce - with or without Yeung’s approval.

While Bruce has joined Wigan on a £2million per year contract, his assistant, Eric Black, who has been named caretaker manager at St Andrews, is expected to follow him to the JJB sooner rather than later.

Ironically, former Wigan manager Paul Jewell has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite to replace Bruce.

Sullivan insists: “This could be a fresh start for Birmingham City.

"The usual suspects will be on everyone’s lips but we are looking at candidates at a certain level.

“It is a difficult one to try and get someone in who the players will respect.

"Do you take a chance on an unproven coach at this level with a group of young players who will need guidance and will be looking for inspiration?

“Or do you go for a more experienced voice, someone respected in football?

“We have always been supportive of our managers and we will continue to be so as long as we are in charge at Birmingham City.”

Birmingham's captain, Liam Ridgewell, commented: “It’s obviously disappointing because the gaffer [Bruce] brought me to the club [from neighbours Aston Villa in the summer].

"But Eric [Black] is very popular with the players. We all trust him and I’m sure he’ll be good.”


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In the Name of God
..
i feel sorry for poor birmingham..
bad resalts .. no manager .. an falting place in PL ..
dont want to be a bambs fan right now that for sure ..
..
peace