Alex McLeish looks to be in a difficult situation at Birmingham City amid reports that the latest round of contract negotiations have stalled, the Scot has a deal to the end of the current season and it is understood that his wage demands could prove a stumbling block. McLeish has done a good job at St Andrews but the contract situation has been ongoing for some time now and sooner or later they will need to be sorted one way or the other, the board have backed McLeish in the transfer market which is a good sign for the Manager after he brought in the likes of Alexander Hleb on loan on deadline day.

The bookmakers have been watching the situation at St Andrews very closely with McLeish now a short price in the Next Premier League Manager to Be Sacked Betting, this has come amid the rumours in recent days and punters have been quick to back the Scot for the boot. If he was to leave the club though it would be a big surprise as they have improved since returning to the Premier League under McLeish, he has moulded a strong team with a good defence that have proven particularly tough to beat at home. He will surely be allowed to continue that development with European football the long term aim for the team, they have established themselves as a top half team and McLeish will know that taking them to the next level has to be the aim.

It is clear though that there has been a fall out between the Manager and the board with McLeish refusing to comment on the negotiations, the quotes coming from the board though are not complimentary though with Vice-Chairman Peter Pannu saying that McLeish is “No Mourinho” when talking about his wage demands. It is clearly a tense situation between the pair and the fans will be eager to see the situation sorted as soon as possible to stop the dispute having an affect on team on the pitch, they look to be set for a good season and it would be a disaster for them if they were to lose McLeish over the dispute.

McLeish will know that his record at Birmingham means that if he did want to leave St Andrews he would not be short of options, he was a major candidate for the Fulham job recently while he is featuring in the Next Aston Villa Manager Betting market at the moment. A move across Birmingham seems highly unlikely but he does only serve the point that he is a Manager in demand and could call the bluff of the Birmingham board, the Sack Race also feels that McLeish will have half an eye on one day succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United as and when he decides to retire so will want to be as successful as possible over the next few years.

Birmingham To have Same Manager On 22nd May 2011 Odds with VC Bet.com - 02/09/2010

Yes – 4/11

No – 2/1

Odds supplied by Victor Chandler

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