Former Ireland and Birmingham captain Kenny Cunningham has hit out at Blues manager Steve Bruce after being released from the relegated club.

Cunningham, who made 144 appearances for the club since signing from Wimbledon in 2002, has up until now has kept his own counsel on Birmingham's internal matters.

However, in an interview with the Birmingham Post the central defender claims that the blame for relegation lies at the door of Bruce, his training techniques and motivational skills.

"Unfortunately, and I take no pleasure in saying this, the only person who must take responsibility for that is the manager," Cunningham said today.

He added that relegation was "due to a lack of organisation, preparation and attention to detail at the football club."

According to the defender concerns over fitness levels were also brought to the attention of Bruce after the departure of fitness coach Arnaud Bruchard.

Cunningham added that in contrast to Wimbledon, Birmingham is lifeless. "Birmingham seems like a stiff corpse in comparison to that. It has no heartbeat and, more worryingly, no soul.

"I fear that while things remain the same the fans and players will never experience the kind of success which I feel they deserve," he added.

This afternoon Birmingham released a statement expressing its disappointment at Cuningham's comments but maintained that the player had no inside knowledge of the workings of the club or its direction.

"The club is currently experiencing an extremely sensitive period, yet Kenny, who remains an employee, has chosen to publicly express his views through the media, without seeking prior permission or consultation, and not directly to any member of the Board, despite limitless opportunities to do so," a statement read today.

"Birmingham City Football Club sees no real benefit in expressing the individual views of the manager and the Board about the player at this time."

"As a player that has now been released, Kenny Cunningham has no knowledge of the club's financial position or the ambitions and plans in place to achieve success. This has never been the case in the past and neither will it now be the case for the future.

"No supporter should doubt that we will take every step possible to attain Premiership status again and will make the essential changes required.

"It is the Chairmen and the Board who will be here next season picking up the pieces left by a team that have driven the club to relegation. Players such as Cunningham will not.

"It is for the supporters to decide who they believe has let the club down."