Bruce confirmed as new Wigan boss

LONDON, England -- Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has confirmed that Steve Bruce is the new manager of the struggling English Premier League club.

Whelan revealed that the Lancashire outfit had agreed to pay the $6 million compensation required to prise Bruce away from Birmingham and return to the club he managed for seven weeks in 2001.

The former Manchester United and England defender replaces Chris Hutchings, who was sacked on November 5 after a poor run of results left Wigan in the relegation zone.

Whelan had hoped to bring Paul Jewell back to the JJB Stadium, but the 43-year-old decided not to return and replace his former assistant Hutchings.

"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," Whelan told Sky Sports News on Monday.

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

Bruce was tempted to leave St Andrews after prospective new owner Carson Yeung refused to ratify a new contract which was to reward him for leading City into the top flight for the second time since he took charge in December 2001.

The 46-year-old's first match as Wigan boss will be away to league leaders Arsenal on Saturday.

Whelan is also hoping to lure Bruce's assistant Eric Black away from Birmingham.

"I understand Birmingham have got a short-term problem in that there is uncertainty in terms of who is going to own the club -- if people want to buy the club they should get on and do it," he added.

"But we would like Eric Black to come as our assistant manager. I am confident we will get him, but I understand he has got to stay there for a week or a fortnight. But he will be coming to us."

Whelan said that Bruce could help keep Wigan in the top flight for a fourth successive season, but admitted that he was unhappy at the way he left the Latics at the end of the 2000-01 campaign.

"I was annoyed when he walked away, but I didn't give him a contract and he came for the last six weeks of season," Whelan said.

"He did a super job and got an offer from Crystal Palace which he wanted to take. I was disappointed to lose him, but I'm delighted he's come back to us.

"My message to the fans is 'Support your team'. We need every bit of support we can get, but we've got a brilliant manager now and together we have to make Wigan what it once was - a fighting team.

"Under Steve Bruce we know Wigan will be a fighting team. What he earns he deserves - he will keep us out of relegation problems and all the fans will be delighted we've got him."

Bruce will reportedly earn more than $4 million a year with Wigan, having earned a salary of around $1.6 million at Birmingham. E-mail to a friend

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