Bruce's Wigan move is delayed

Updated 14.29 Wed Nov 21 2007

Keywords: Premier League, Birmingham City, Steve Bruce, Wigan Athletic, football, sport

Steve Bruce's unveiling as Wigan Athletic's new manager has been delayed due to "unforeseen circumstances".

The 46-year-old former Manchester United defender was expected to be introduced to the media at a lunchtime news conference having brought his six-year reign at Birmingham City to an end.

"The club are confident that the situation, which is beyond their control, will be resolved quickly and the club will be in a position to make an announcement in the very near future" - Wigan Athletic

But due to "an issue between Birmingham and Steve" the move has been put on hold, according to Latics chief executive Brenda Spencer.

In any case Wigan, who are one off the bottom of the Premier League table, are confident that they will get their man in the near future.

The club's official website said: "The club are confident that the situation, which is beyond their control, will be resolved quickly and the club will be in a position to make an announcement in the very near future."

And Spencer added: "Our chairman (Dave Whelan) is desperate that we have a manager in place and he is hopeful that something will happen in the next 24 hours. I think we just have to sit tight, hold fire and hope that something will be resolved."

When asked if Bruce's plan to take Eric Black, his number two at St Andrews, with him to the JJB Stadium had influenced the delay Spencer replied: "It is nothing to do with anything else. Just between Birmingham and Steve."

Meanwhile, Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has rejected the chance to replace Bruce as manager of Birmingham.