Alex Mcleish Resigns As Scotland Manager

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="629" border="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><div class="mxb"><div class="sh">McLeish to be new Birmingham boss </div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="width: 416px" valign="top"><font size="2"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="203" align="right" border="0"><tbody><tr><td><div> </div></td></tr></tbody></table>Alex McLeish has resigned as Scotland manager and BBC Sport understands he will take over as Birmingham boss.

Birmingham have called a news conference for Wednesday morning where they are expected to unveil McLeish. </p>

The 48-year-old led Scotland to the brink of Euro 2008 qualification and his deal ran until 2010. </p>

But Blues, who received &pound;3m when Steve Bruce left for Wigan, are believed to have agreed a compensation package with the Scottish Football Association. </p>

The SFA were keen to hold on to McLeish and said it had rejected an approach for him. </p>

But, despite reports they would offer McLeish an improved deal, the lure of the English top-flight has proved too great for the former Rangers, Hibernian and Motherwell boss. </p>

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="208" align="right" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 5px"></td><td class="sib606"><div class="sihf">606: DEBATE </div><div class="ibqlinks">Was Alex McLeish right to leave Scotland for Birmingham? </div></td></tr></tbody></table></p>

&quot;I understand that McLeish agreed to join Birmingham soon after getting off the plane from South Africa this morning where he had been representing Scotland at the World Cup draw,&quot; said BBC 5 Live sports reporter. </p>

&quot;Compensation isn't a problem. The SFA will receive around &pound;1m for releasing McLeish. </p>

&quot;McLeish has long hankered after managing a club in the Premier League and he was interviewed for the West Brom job three years ago. </p>

&quot;His playing credentials as a lion-hearted defender, capped 77 times by Scotland, and his clutch of trophies picked up as Rangers manager will guarantee him respect in the Birmingham dressing room.&quot; </p>

A hint that Blues had got their man came when caretaker assistant Eric Black quit on Tuesday to join Bruce at Wigan. </p>

McLeish previously had not ruled out a return to club football. </p>

&quot;I am Scotland manager until something else happens,&quot; he said recently </p>

He also said he would not guarantee he would still be in charge for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign. </p>

&quot;It's a long time away,&quot; he told BBC Sport. &quot;You can never tell in football. </p>

&quot;It's something that is always out of your control. I am Scotland manager until something else happens.&quot; </p></font></td></tr></tbody></table>

 

ill put a 10er on Billy Davies as new scottish manager

 

if the sfa have any sense they;ll give the job to....

...Craig Levein, although with Dundee United being my second team, hands off i say, hands off!!

 

£3m for Steve Bruce?

Is that some sort of record compensation?