Wigan Athletic today finally confirmed Steve Bruce as their new manager after he secured his release from Birmingham City.

The club said in a statement that Bruce (46) had signed a contract and would formally start work at the JJB Stadium on Monday.

Caretaker manager Frank Barlow will remain in charge for tomorrow's visit to unbeaten league leaders Arsenal which Bruce will attend.

Wigan had hoped to announce the Manchester United legend's arrival at a news conference last Wednesday but were forced to put the announcement on hold due to an unresolved issue between the manager and Birmingham.

The BBC reported that the Blues had refused to sanction the move unless he repaid stg£225,000 he had received in advance for image rights.

Before the unexpected hitch, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan had announced on Monday that a deal had been agreed to bring Bruce to the club and pay Birmingham compensation of £3 million pounds.

Bruce replaces Chris Hutchings, who was sacked this month after 13 games in charge. Wigan have slipped to second-last in the Premier League, four places and three points behind Birmingham, on the back of seven straight defeats.