... and we want their manager. It appears that Latics chairman Dave Whelan thinks Birmingham are being taken over by the Chinese, he also seems to think Steve Bruce is the right man for Wigan Athletic.

Whelan wrote in his MEN column: "If I can manage to have Steve Bruce released by Birmingham City, I will back him to the hilt at Wigan, just as I did Paul Jewell, because he is the man we need right now.

"Wigan must again become the club they were when we came into the Premiership and Steve Bruce has the ability, the experience and determination to take the club forward again.

"Steve wants a new challenge, he wants to come to Wigan and we can provide him with that. If he does come here, a lot of uncertainty in his life right now will be taken away.

"By this, I mean the tough position he's been in at Birmingham amid a possible takeover by the Chinese. In a month's time, he could well be out of a job, but we want him at Wigan. He can instil determination, the kind that has been associated with Wigan."