November 13 2001

Steve Bruce

A report in today's Independent states that Birmingham City could let Steve Bruce choose a caretaker manager to take charge until he is allowed to take up the post himself.

Crystal Palace are in court today to try and stop suspended manager Steve Bruce from leaving for promotion rivals Birmingham City.

Despite a possible 9 month notice that Bruce might have to serve on his current contract with Palace, Birmingham are prepared to wait for their man, and let Bruce choose a caretaker manager to take control of team affairs.

The obvious candidate for the caretaker role would be Mark Bowen, who has already told Simon Jordan of his intensions to jump ship to Birmingham City, to become Bruce's assistant manager.