Wigan confirm Bruce as manager

Updated 14.22 Mon Nov 19 2007

Keywords: steve bruce, birmingham city, wigan athletic, sport, football

Wigan Athletic have announced Steve Bruce is their new manager.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan's confirmed he will pay the £3 million to trigger a release clause in Bruce's contract as Birmingham City manager.

"I think he's a big loss for Birmingham and a big signing for Wigan Athletic" - Dave Whelan

Bruce returns to Wigan more than six years after his first spell as the club's manager, which only lasted eight games.

He became Whelan's main target when former Wigan boss Paul Jewell made it clear he would not be returning.

Whelan said: "When Paul Jewell decided he was not going to come back I was a little bit disappointed but Steve Bruce is the guy we wanted.

"I'm delighted we've got him, I think he's a big loss for Birmingham and a big signing for Wigan Athletic."

Whelan added: "He'll be a fantastic signing for Wigan Athletic. He's one of the best young managers in the land, I'm delighted we've got him and he'll bring enthusiasm, knowledge and spirit to our team."

"We have a good team now, we have some good players. We've had some bad luck with injuries and when Steve comes in he I know he will want a midfield player and maybe a striker and I will be backing him exactly the same way I did with Paul Jewell."