Alex McLeish's job had become 'untenable' at Birmingham

AS THE saga over Alex McLeish's Birmingham City departure continued to rumble on yesterday, the League Managers' Association claimed the Scot quit the St Andrew's club because he was not consulted properly over transfers and after his chief scout was sacked.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said there had been "aggressive and seriously undermining communications" that had made McLeish's position untenable. Birmingham later refuted the claims and accused Aston Villa of "tapping up" the former Motherwell, Hibs, Rangers and Scotland manager after they last night revealed their intention to interview him.

Bevan said: "Alex decided he had to resign as there had been serious issues for some time between him and the board at Birmingham. It is disappointing that some clubs don't follow normal employment law.

"Mr (Peter] Pannu, a senior member of the board, has put into the public domain confidential information contained in Alex's contract. This is without doubt a breach of confidence. It is disappointing that Alex appears to have been criticised for sending his formal resignation letter by email, particularly given that one of the issues Alex resigned over was Mr Pannu's sacking of Alex's chief scout (Paul Montgomery], who learned that he was to be dismissed when he was copied in on an email from Mr Pannu to one of the club's officials. There were other issues as well, including not being properly consulted on player transfers, and making a number of aggressive and seriously undermining communications, which ultimately made his position untenable."

But a Birmingham statement in response read: "The LMA's announcement today is refuted as the club has a very rigid approval system where only players their rival fans and this unity is based on humility and integrity and what is right and fair."

Birmingham also hit out at an earlier statement from the League Managers' Association which effectively gave its backing to McLeish. It criticised the sacking of Birmingham chief scout Paul Montgomery and said McLeish had not been "properly consulted" regarding player transfers. LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said: "Alex decided he had to resign as there had been serious issues for some time between him and the board at Birmingham.

"It is disappointing that some clubs don't follow normal employment law - which can undermine the game, the club and even the community the club is based in. Mr (Peter] Pannu, a senior member of the board, has put into the public domain confidential information contained in Alex's contract.

"This is without doubt a breach of confidence. It is disappointing that Alex appears to have been criticised for sending his formal resignation letter by email, particularly given that one of the issues Alex resigned over was Mr Pannu's sacking of Alex's chief scout (Paul Montgomery], who learned that he was to be dismissed when he was copied in on an email from Mr Pannu to one of the club's officials. There were other issues as well, including not being properly consulted on player transfers, and making a number of aggressive and seriously undermining communications, which ultimately made his position untenable."

But a Birmingham statement in response read: "The LMA's announcement is refuted as the club has a very rigid approval system where only players formally identified, and with approval forms signed and sanctioned by the manager personally are brought in.

"The chief scout was sacked only after Mr McLeish was informed, who at that time had chosen not to comment. The allegations against the club, president Carson Yeung and the Board are frivolous excuses and without foundation. The matter is now with Birmingham City's lawyers and no further comments will be made."

Villa said in their statement: "The club understands that Alex McLeish is a free agent. We therefore intend to interview him imminently. From the beginning of our search, we have set out criteria based on proven Premier League experience, compelling leadership, an ethic for hard work and, most importantly, sharing our vision for Aston Villa.

"We would, however, like to emphasise the board has taken his tenure at our local rivals and the strong emotions associated with this very seriously. We are determined, still, not to allow that three-and-a-half year post to disqualify him should he be the best candidate for the role of Aston Villa manager."