Birmingham manager resigns

On the move ... McLeish was always likely to leave after Birmingham were relegated. Source: Tom Hevezi / AP

Alex McLeish has resigned as manager of Birmingham City two weeks after their relegation from the Premier League, with the club saying he had told acting chairman Peter Pannu in an e-mail he was leaving the Midlands side.

"Birmingham City Football Club can confirm Alex McLeish has resigned as manager," the club said in a statement on their website.

"Acting chairman Peter Pannu received an e-mail resignation from McLeish earlier today (Sunday) while away on business in Amsterdam.

"No further comment will be made at this moment in time and updates will be released in due course."

Former Rangers manager McLeish was immediately linked with a move to Birmingham's fierce rivals Aston Villa, who are still in the Premier League but without a manager following the resignation through ill-health of former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier.

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Fulham hire Martin Jol as manager

Martin Jol is returning to the English Premier League as Fulham manager, four years after an acrimonious exit from London rival Tottenham.

The 55-year-old Dutchman has agreed to an initial two-year contract with Fulham, with the option of a further year's extension, the club said on its website.

Jol is replacing Mark Hughes, who resigned last week after just one season in charge at Craven Cottage.

"I am very happy to join Fulham Football Club, a wonderful traditional club," Jol said.

"It is a club with good, solid foundations and a great fan base.

"I am looking forward to being part of the Fulham family and thank the chairman for the trust he's shown in me."

Jol will be Fulham's third manager in as many seasons.

"He understands my vision for the club, and believes in what we are striving to achieve here," Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said.

"I know that he will dedicate himself to helping us move forward and is with us for the long term, to help us build and progress.

"We have enjoyed three incredibly successful years, and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue.

"I know that with his wealth of experience and success, Martin is the right man to help us do this."

A former player with clubs including Bayern Munich, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City, Jol coached Dutch teams Roda JC Kerkrade and RKC Waalwijk before moving to Tottenham.

Since being ditched by Tottenham in 2007 despite successive fifth-place finishes, Jol has coached Hamburg and Ajax.

Jol has been out of work since quitting Ajax in December, following a slump in fortunes after leading the Dutch club to second in the league and a place in the Champions League.

Jol will start working with his new Fulham players from June 23 when they return from their summer break in time to prepare for a Europa League qualifier.

Fulham reached the 2010 final under Roy Hodgson but lost to Atletico Madrid.

- AAP

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Steve McLaren new Nottingham Forest manager

SONIA OXLEY

Former England manager Steve McClaren made a return to English football when he was named manager at Championship (second division) side Nottingham Forest.

It will be the first time he has managed in England since his spell in charge of the national team ended in humiliation with the country failing to qualify for Euro 2008.

He signed a three-year deal at Forest, who came close to promotion to the Premier League this season but lost in the playoff semi-finals. He succeeds Billy Davies, who was sacked on Sunday.

"The club moved quickly to secure his services as it is rare for a manager and coach of his undoubted calibre to be available," Forest Chief Executive Mark Arthur said in a statement on the club website (www.nottinghamforest.co.uk).

The 50-year-old McClaren has been keen to repair his tarnished reputation in England after his ill-fated spell in charge of the national team, when he was dubbed "The Wally with the Brolly" after putting up a big umbrella to shield himself from the rain during a match.

After being sacked by England in 2007 he took up a post at Twente Enschede and steered the club to their maiden Dutch title in 2010.

Last year he became the first English coach at the helm of a Bundesliga club when he took over at VfL Wolfsburg but lasted just nine months in the job as the 2009 German champions became involved in the battle to avoid relegation.

He was sacked in February.

Before his stint as England boss he had been viewed as a promising manager having worked as an assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 1999-2001 before being appointed manager at Middlesbrough, with whom he won the 2004 League Cup.

He also took Middlesbrough to the 2006 UEFA Cup final, where they lost to Sevilla, and Forest will be hoping McClaren can have a similar impact at the club as they seek a return to the top flight.

"Steve has a proven track record of coaching and managing at club level, having played a key role in helping Manchester United secure the Champions League trophy, three Premier League titles and an FA Cup," Arthur said.

"We are delighted to have him on board at the City ground."

- Reuters

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Birmingham manager resigns

On the move ... McLeish was always likely to leave after Birmingham were relegated. Source: Tom Hevezi / AP

Alex McLeish has resigned as manager of Birmingham City two weeks after their relegation from the Premier League, with the club saying he had told acting chairman Peter Pannu in an e-mail he was leaving the Midlands side.

"Birmingham City Football Club can confirm Alex McLeish has resigned as manager," the club said in a statement on their website.

"Acting chairman Peter Pannu received an e-mail resignation from McLeish earlier today (Sunday) while away on business in Amsterdam.

"No further comment will be made at this moment in time and updates will be released in due course."

Former Rangers manager McLeish was immediately linked with a move to Birmingham's fierce rivals Aston Villa, who are still in the Premier League but without a manager following the resignation through ill-health of former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier.

View the original article here

Read more »

Birmingham manager resigns

On the move ... McLeish was always likely to leave after Birmingham were relegated. Source: Tom Hevezi / AP

Alex McLeish has resigned as manager of Birmingham City two weeks after their relegation from the Premier League, with the club saying he had told acting chairman Peter Pannu in an e-mail he was leaving the Midlands side.

"Birmingham City Football Club can confirm Alex McLeish has resigned as manager," the club said in a statement on their website.

"Acting chairman Peter Pannu received an e-mail resignation from McLeish earlier today (Sunday) while away on business in Amsterdam.

"No further comment will be made at this moment in time and updates will be released in due course."

Former Rangers manager McLeish was immediately linked with a move to Birmingham's fierce rivals Aston Villa, who are still in the Premier League but without a manager following the resignation through ill-health of former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier.

View the original article here

Read more »