ENGLISH double winners Manchester United have been seeded for next season's European Champions' League but Scottish title holders Rangers will have to qualify.
Ajax Amsterdam will also be among the eight seeds who qualify directly for the last 16, despite last night's final defeat against Juventus. United join Juventus, Ajax, AC Milan, Auxerre, Borussia Dortmund, Porto, and either Atletico Madrid or Valencia.
Meanwhile Birmingham manager Trevor Francis is banking on the inspirational presence of Steve Bruce to pilot Birmingham into the English Premiership. The 35 year old central defender yesterday joined the ambitious first division club on a free transfer from double winners Manchester United.
Francis, who is currently in China, replaced Barry Fry as Birmingham boss earlier this month and Bruce is his first major signing.
Bruce is looking forward to the partnership and there is a possibility he could do some coaching at St Andrew's. "It will be a terrible wrench leaving United for I have some wonderful memories of the club and its supporters," said Bruce.
"But at this stage of my career the offer from Trevor Francis is too good to turn down. I'am looking forward to the challenge, of getting Birmingham into the Premiership.
United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We have had to concur with Steve's wishes. That is the very least we owe him. It gives him the chance to extend his career and it is a marvellous challenge for him. We cannot stand in his way. He has served the club magnificently for almost, 10 years and we wish him well in the future.
Birmingham's co owner David Sullivan is convinced that Bruce will boost the club's promotion hopes next season. "Hopefully he can share up our defence," said Sullivan. "He has enjoyed 10 years good service with United and played a large number of games as they won the championship last season. I just hope that he will help us to make it a championship winning season at St Andrew's next year."
Another man in the news yesterday was Nottingham Forest manager Frank Clark, who came under fire after "ridiculous" claims that Jason Lee's career had taken a downward spiral because of a BBC TV programme.
The 25 year old forward, signed from Southend for £200,000 in March 1994, has been transfer listed after being ridiculed by Fantasy Football League. Lee's distinctive hairstyle prompted chants of "He's Got A Pineapple On His Head" at grounds around the country and the programme took up the theme.
Clark believes that Lee has been victimised and that he had no option but to make the player available. That claim was dismissed out of hand by the agents who act for show hosts Frank Skinner and David Baddiel.
"Frank Clark is wrong to blame us for Jason Lee's decline," a statement reads. "He bought the player in the first place and now is deciding to sell him. It is obviously convenient to blame us.
"We do not feel responsible for wrecking Jason Lee's career" if, that is, you accept his career is wrecked. We have already sent two letters to Jason trying to assure him it was just a bit of fun about a hairstyle. We also pointed out that if he came on the show and was seen to be laughing at himself the joke would end. He has declined both offers.
