Alex McLeish has been confirmed as the new manager of Birmingham City.The former Rangers and Hibernian boss quit his role as manager of the Scottish national team on Tuesday and less than 24 hours later was unveiled at St Andrews.
McLeish, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, takes over from Steve Bruce who left the club earlier this month and is now at Wigan Athletic.The new role will be McLeish's first in the Barclays Premier League and his aim will be to steer the Blues clear of relegation trouble. They currently sit just one point above the drop zone.
McLeish admitted the lure of the Barclays Premier League and day-to-day management were significant factors in his decision to leave Scotland.He said: "I've always had a desire to come to the Premier League. I'd love to be managing in the Premier League for a considerable time.The Scotland campaign was over and I really thought long and hard about staying on. I knew of some interest in the Premier League and had a desire to get back to day-to-day football.I really enjoyed my time in the Scotland job, it was a good period for me which was not day to day but allowed me to rekindle my appetite for the club scene again.I've come to a club with great tradition in football and with a fervent and fantastic fan base.I look forward to the challenge.''
Coach Roy Aitken, who was part of McLeish's backroom team at Scotland, has also made the move to St Andrews, as has Andy Watson, another member of the Scottish set-up.
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