McLeish's future in doubt
Alex McLeish's future at Birmingham City has been cast into doubt after problems over a new contract emerged.
It is thought that Birmingham are trying to tie down McLeish in a long-term deal as a reward for the manager's performance last season. However, there seem to be arguments over a number of terms, with the Scot apparently asking for too much money.
Birmingham vice-chairman Peter Pannu said: "I have been in talks with his representative and he was asking for a very large amount of money which I was not prepared to meet. He has not been tried and tested yet."
McLeish is vital to the future of the football club for a variety of reasons. It's important that all parties concerned can get a sensible and productive deal sorted quickly so the focus can shift to the performance of the team.
Key to the future
McLeish is one of the very few managers in the game that gives the appearance of being the main man at his football club. This means structured layers of organisation that are very easy to determine in relation to various issues.
The current playing squad at Birmingham is one that McLeish has spent a long time putting together. There are a lot of players that he has personally made sure are in the squad and this is vital to the direction the football club is going in. Bringing in another manager after McLeish would mean a whole new structuring process.
McLeish has a high number of managerial qualities that few other managers can even get close to. His people management skills are better than most and there will be a lot of players who have only signed at the club because of the way the manager took care of them. These players could all ask to go if McLeish heads towards the exit door.
Pannu added: "The club was relegated, then promoted and last year we stayed up, so he has done well. But to suggest that he is in the top class like a Mourinho well, he is no Mourinho yet. The ball is in his court."
Betting advice
Birmingham will be safe this season because they have enough quality in the playing squad and the manager has got them playing good football. However, the club's chances of kicking on will evaporate if McLeish does not stay at the club for years.
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