Birmingham Continue Legal Proceedings Against Alex McLeish

Birmingham City has today insisted that their legal dispute against Alex McLeish is not over, despite the Scot being unveiled as Aston Villa’s new manager today, the Blues has slammed McLeish for the way he has treated the club and the fans.

McLeish has taken the post less than a week after quitting Birmingham in controversial circumstances, the club will now try to force legal proceedings against their former manager and insist it is now in the hands of the clubs lawyers.

A statement released on the club's official website shortly after it was announced that McLeish is to become the new manager at Villa read: "The fact that Alex McLeish has been appointed as manager of Aston Villa does not, in any way, mean that the legal dispute is over and Birmingham City Football Club maintains its stance and shall vigorously pursue the matter.

"We are very disappointed with how the club and its fans have been treated by Mr McLeish given the way we have supported him over the years and we are still looking into whether Aston Villa's conduct has been in line with Premier League rules.

"As the club is currently enforcing its legal right with Mr McLeish the matter is in the hands of our lawyers and it is therefore not appropriate for the club to make any further comment at this stage.

"The club will continue its full efforts on recruiting a new manager and hope to make an appointment as soon as possible."

Alex McLeish Confirmed As Villa Manager

Aston Villa have today confirmed that Alex McLeish has become their new manager, the Scot resigned as manager of Birmingham last week and following a verbal row between the two clubs it has now been agreed The 52-year-old will now take charge at Villa Park.

Aston Villa was forced to pay Birmingham City £2m compensation to get their man and although Villa fans had voiced their disappointment at approaching McLeish, Villa owner Randy Lerner was determined to get him.

"I am honoured to have this opportunity to manage a club with such a fantastic history as Aston Villa's," McLeish said.

"The heritage, the history of success and the tradition of Aston Villa are compelling and irresistible. The challenge for me is to try to add my own chapter.

"I know that some of our fans have voiced concerns and I can understand why. It will be up to me to convince you that I am the right man"

"Since first becoming a manager at Motherwell, my desire to succeed and my energy and drive have never waned. My objective is to impart that drive and will to win to the players and fans of Aston Villa.

"I know that some of our fans have voiced concerns and I can understand why. It will be up to me to convince you that I am the right man to drive the Club forward and I intend to give absolutely everything to prove that I can be a success at the Club."

Aston Villa Director Hits Out At Fans

Aston Villa director Charles Krulak has hit back at the Villa fans who were angered by the club approaching Alex McLeish to become their new manager, bitter rivals Aston Villa and Birmingham City are at loggerheads over the Scot.

McLeish resigned as manager of Birmingham City last week and the Blues have now lodged a formal complaint against Villa after accusing them of illegally tapping up their former manager, Villa have been on the hunt for a new boss since Gerard Houllier quit his post at the beginning of June due to health concerns.

Krulak said: "The uproar over McLeish is uncalled for.

"He has proved he can manage in the big leagues - just imagine what he could do if he was with an owner who supported him."

In a message to Villa fans, he said: "You cling to the fact he's seen his lads relegated twice. Well, the first time he was not with the club long enough to make a difference. Secondly, look at the owners he's worked for and support of him monetarily.

"Then look at our owner Randy Lerner and what he provides to his managers.

"Ask Alex Ferguson about the man. We need to do what is right for the club."

Birmingham City Accuse Aston Villa Of Foul Play

Birmingham City has accused Aston Villa of tapping up former manager Alex McLeish, the bitter rivals are at war and Birmingham owners have insisted that will lodge a formal complaint.

The League Managers' Association has said that McLeish quit over a lack of consultation regarding transfers and the sacking of his former chief scout at St Andrews.

The Blues who was relegated from the Premier League last season have refused to accept McLeish’s resignation while the Scot feels he is not being treated fairly, Villa announced on Tuesday night that they were to interview the Scot 'imminently' because they considered him a free agent after he quit Birmingham at the weekend.

"The club feel this will taint football and give the game and the footballing authorities a bad name if this is allowed to materialise. The club will do what is within its powers to prevent this and will lodge a formal complaint to the authorities tomorrow as there is now not the slightest doubt remaining about this tap up attempt.

"Birmingham City FC stresses that this conduct, if condoned, will open up flood gates and set a very bad precedent. This is also an attack against the intelligence and integrity of not only the Villa fans, but most importantly our fans who are badly let down after having just been relegated.

"It is definitely a bitter pill to swallow for all fans concerned, both here and across the city. Never have the two clubs seen such a strong unity between their rival fans and this unity is based on humility and integrity and what is right and fair.

"The LMA's announcement today is refuted as the club has a very rigid approval system where only players formally identified, and with approval forms signed and sanctioned by the manager personally are brought in. The chief scout was sacked only after Mr. McLeish was informed who at that time had chosen not to comment.

"The allegations against the club, president Carson Yeung and the board are frivolous excuses and without foundation.

"The matter is now with Birmingham City FC's lawyers and no further comments will be made."  

Aston Villa and Birmingham City At War Over Alex McLeish

A legal row is erupting between rivals Aston Villa and Birmingham over Alex McLeish, the Scot resigned as manager as Birmingham via e-mail on Sunday. The Blues will now seek compensation from Villa should they approach McLeish, Villa’s former manager Gerard Houllier stepped down on health grounds.

The Blues claims do not believe that McLeish is a free agent and that the Scot is contracted to Birmingham City, the St Andrews club will now seek an injunction against their rivals to prevent them joining Aston Villa.
"I got an email from Aston Villa, finally replying to all of our queries," confirmed Pannu.

"As expected, their legal department said 'now Alex McLeish is a free agent having resigned, we're free to speak to him'. This confirms all suspicions. This shows what has happened.

"Within the first year he (McLeish), or the club who sign him, have to compensate us at £5.4m.
"The first year expires on June 30. The second year starts July 1, when the compensation fee is £3m.
"The urgency of the whole thing, with this email from Aston Villa, shows they can't even wait 17 days when the compensation is lower. It shows what this is all about.

Blues' acting chairman, Peter Pannu insists they are entitled to £5.4million should McLeish join Villa this month, although that figure will drop to £3m from the start of July.

"Because of this, what option is left to Alex McLeish and his advisers? To make allegations against Carson Yeung, against the board, for interference or whatever excuse to show constructive dismissal.
"I'll be seeking an injunction preventing Villa from hiring him.

"I'll be reporting what's happened to the Premier League. This is like conspiracy to defraud.
"It's borderline criminal. That's how strong I'll put it."

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Obafemi Martins Joins Birmingham

Birmingham have confirmed the signing of Obafemi Martins, the striker joins the Blues from Rubin Kazan after the player flew into England on Sunday to finalise terms, City has today confirmed that Martins had been granted a work permit for the deal to go through in time before the transfer window closes 11pm tonight.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has been determined to sign a striker with proven Barclays Premier League experience and Martins, who will wear number 17, fits that bill.

Martins had a successful three year spell with Newcastle between 2006-09 season where he scored 39 goals in 105 appearances for the Magpies.

Bentley Joins Birmingham On-Loan

Birmingham City have taken David Bentley on loan until the end of the season, the wide-man has been out of favour for a while at White Hart Lane and going to St Andrews would be the only way to gain first-team football.

Birmingham City had been linked with Bentley throughout the season and the 26-year-old will hope that the move breathes life into his career, which has stalled after making only three appearances all season.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said: "We're delighted to have David's services. He is a classy footballer and will enhance the quality of the squad.

"He is a natural footballer capable of top delivery at set-pieces. With the likes of him, (Alexander) Hleb and (Sebastian) Larsson, who has had a great season consistency-wise, we have creative players. Bentley can provide more competition.

"He has had his moments at Spurs, but there is fierce competition for places there.

"They have a glut of superstars at Spurs. With the introduction of people like (Rafael) van der Vaart, players of that ilk, and the rise of (Aaron) Lennon, it has become very difficult for him. The quality is amazing and maybe he can get his career back on track here."