Birmingham caretaker manager Eric Black has quit the midlands club and intends to link up with former Blues boss Steve Bruce at Wigan.

It is understood Black ended his association with Birmingham earlier today after a brief spell in charge as caretaker manager.

The way now appears clear for Birmingham to step up their plans to bring in Scotland manager Alex McLeish as Bruce's replacement, though the Scottish Football Association (SFA) today rejected an official approach believed to be from Birmingham, for national team manager Alex McLeish.

It is understood that City remain confident of being given permission by the SFA to speak to McLeish.

Black appeared a strong contender last week to become Bruce's successor and he was in charge for Saturday's home game with Portsmouth.

But a meeting with the Birmingham board after the 2-0 defeat left Black with no assurances over his future and now he has decided to call time on his two-and-a-half-year term at St Andrews.

Black has built up a close bond with Bruce after becoming his number two in succession to Mark Bowen, who has since joined Blackburn.

McLeish would cost City around £1million (€1.4m) in compensation but that would not be a problem as they received £3m (€4.1m) from Wigan as compensation for Bruce's departure.