New Gaffers

[anelka]

Birmingham have unveiled Alex McLeish as their new manager at St Andrews.McLeish resigned as Scotland boss on Tuesday paving the way for him to make the move to Birmingham.The former Rangers and Hibernian manager replaces Steve Bruce at Birmingham following his departure to Wigan.McLeish has signed a three-and-half-year deal at the midlands outfit.Scotland assistant coaches Roy Aitken and Andy Watson have joined up with McLeish as part of his backroom team at Birmingham.McLeish explained his reasoning behind quitting Scotland, insisting that he was driven by his desire to return to club management.Tough decision"The Scotland campaign was over and I really thought long and hard about staying on," he told Sky Sports News. "I knew there was some interest from the Premiership and I don't think I hid my desire to get back to day-to-day football, I really enjoyed my time with Scotland and that allowed me to rekindle my appetite for club football and I have come to a great club with great history and a fantastic fan base."I have always harboured a desire to come to the Premiership and I have wanted to manage here for a while."McLeish feels he is leaving Scotland in a healthy situation; saying: "The SFA were fantastic to me and the fans showed their appreciation but I would say it is just football"I will add that there are many good Scots coaches that can take Scotland forward, the national team can definitely go forward and they look in a very healthy situation."RivalryLooking ahead McLeish did not want to highlight the fact he is again based in the same city as Martin O'Neill - after they faced off in Glasgow when in charge at Rangers and Celtic."I don't want to single out the derbies I am looking forward to the Premiership, but of course these things happen in football and I am facing Martin over the city like I did in Glasgow."McLeish and his new management team were set to get to work quickly ahead of the weekend's clash with Tottenham."We are going to asses the squad and take a look as quickly as we can ahead of visit to Spurs."It is our job to get the best out of every player and we will look to see what introductions we can do in January.

Derby County have confirmed the appointment of Paul Jewell as their new manager.The Premier League's bottom club parted company with Billy Davies earlier this week.They have now brought in Jewell - who has been out of football since quitting Wigan at the end of last season.Jewell, who has penned a three-and-half-year deal at Pride Park, is excited by the challenge helping them avoid a quick return to the Championship."I've taken time out of football to reflect on how I can get better and to try and improve myself as a manager," said Jewell."I've had a few opportunities but Derby is the one that excites me."It's a fantastic club with great facilities. All is not lost and I'm here for the long term."I'm absolutely delighted and excited to be here."The first time I spoke to the chairman was yesterday and I was very impressed by him."It happened very quickly and I am absolutely delighted and excited to be here and excited by the challenge."Derby has got fantastic history and fanbase. The support is immense so many boxes it ticked for me"It is a job that really excited me and I cannot wait to get started."SafetyAsked if he could keep the side up this season, despite sitting four points adrift of safety, Jewell said: "Absolutely. If I don't believe it, if the players don't believe it, if the fans don't believe it we have no chance."It's going to be very difficult but I'm not here to wave the white flag."We're not adrift."Jewell refused to be drawn on who he would be bringing in as his backroom team, but is hopeful of sorting it out in the next 24 hours."The backroom staff I will put in place gradually as we go along as I have not had time to sort backroom staff."I am not going to say names at minute as it would be unfair on people who do not know I am looking to employ them."Jewell's first game in charge will be against Sunderland this weekend and he is ready for the challenge."I start work tomorrow morning and I can't wait to get going. "I look forward to getting on the training pitch again"It does not get any bigger than next game, it is a six-pointer if you like."It is a massive challenge and it is going to be very difficult as there is no easy games in the Premier League."

[Guest haze-e]

I dunno about McGleish. Has completely revamped Scotland and produse them into an ahhright team which nearly qualified. Dunno how the scottish would feel about him leaving.

[anelka]

Brum have a decent squad and have a chance of staying up, I also heard McLeish wages have at least tripled.As for Jewell he was better off taking the Wigan job or waiting for something better coz I cant see Derby getting out of this and he might ruin his rep.Rafa will be sacked soon, Jewell coudda been in wid a chance of managing his childhood club

[Benicio del Toney]

Kinda wanted Ince to get it still.Jewell is a loyal guy though so he will do a good job in the long run even if Derby do go down this year and they got a good fanbase which is what Wigan didnt have, which im sure is 1 of the main reasons he left.Dont reckon Birms will go down.

[Flojo]

Brum have a decent squad and have a chance of staying up, I also heard McLeish wages have at least tripled.As for Jewell he was better off taking the Wigan job or waiting for something better coz I cant see Derby getting out of this and he might ruin his rep.Rafa will be sacked soon, Jewell coudda been in wid a chance of managing his childhood club

:D

[Rsonist]

Tottenham will be welcoming Mcleish to the Prem with a battering ensueing on Sunday....

[Apache]

I dunno about McGleish.

Neither do I, but I here McLeish is rated.

[MUFCCHAMPS2007]

Who gives a care about derby and birmingham.I guess mcleishs ratings have gone up after what hes just done with scotland.And he did pretty well with rangers i think.

[scared of who?]

One of them should have gone for John Collins.Next to blow!

[The Infamous]

Brum have a decent squad and have a chance of staying up, I also heard McLeish wages have at least tripled.As for Jewell he was better off taking the Wigan job or waiting for something better coz I cant see Derby getting out of this and he might ruin his rep.Rafa will be sacked soon, Jewell coudda been in wid a chance of managing his childhood club

:D

I swear down if jewell took overI mean reallyWould have to be on suicide watch

[JJ]

good appointments for both tbhi hope brum stay upmiss the derby games too much when they aint here.

[Guest roskie_07]

birmingham to stay upderby to go down