November 1 2001

Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce is set to leave Crystal Palace and join managerless Birmingham City, according to newspaper reports this morning.

The Daily Mirror claims Bruce broke the news to chairman Simon Jordan and the team after the 1-0 defeat to West Brom last night at Selhurst Park.

Bruce has been Birmingham's number one choice for the job ever since Trevor Francis recently left the club.

He spent two years at St Andrews as a player after leaving Manchester United in 1996.

He had refused to comment on whether the job interested him, until last week when he told the Independent on Sunday that he wanted to take Palace up to the Premiership.

Now he will look to take coach Terry Bullivant with him to Birmingham and Palace fans will hope he won't take any of the Eagles' squad.

Bruce has not been very loyal in his short managerial career. He started out with Sheff Utd in 1998-99, was in charge for 55 matches - 22 wins, Huddersfield in 1999-2000 for 67 matches - 25 wins, Wigan in 2001 for eight matches - three wins and with Palace - 2001- present with 17 matches - 10 wins.