Bruce inks new Brum deal

Birmingham City have confirmed that highly-rated manager Steve Bruce has penned a new five-year contract with the club. The former Crystal Palace boss is highly regarded at St Andrews after twice guiding them to Premiership survival.

The former Huddersfield boss is believed to be earning around £1.6m a year, which is a sign of how desperate Birmingham are to keep hold of the respected young manager.

He has been tipped to be a future Manchester United manager after his success their as a player but the new deal is a reward for him guiding Blues from the First Division and into a Premiership force.

"We are delighted," said Blues chief executive Karen Brady. "It secures his future and also overcomes any speculation linking him to other clubs.

"The working relationship between relationship between Steve and the board is fantastic and the new deal is designed to reward him for that.

"He has many more years ahead of him at Birmingham and all our plans and player choices are based around Steve staying here as manager."