Trevor Francis hails manager's deal

Birmingham legend Trevor Francis today hailed the award of boss Alex McLeish's new contract.

The manager's three-year deal was rubber stamped just before Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Albion and gave Blues a boost amid derby disappointment.

And ex-St Andrew's boss Francis is pleased the club can move forward after talks dragged over the summer.

He said: "It's great news for Birmingham. It's something supporters have been concerned about for a long time.

"Contract negotiations get into the open and once they are and something isn't concluded pretty quickly it causes concern among supporters.

"I think most Blues supporters expected it to be done during the summer. The season has started but now it has been concluded supporters are going to be happy.

"The owners should be very happy and I would think Alex will be quite relieved and relaxed now that it has been finally put to bed."

McLeish has been in charge since 2007 and led Blues to ninth in the Premier League last term – their highest position for 51 years – and Francis reckons he deserves his new deal.

He said: "Alex has been very happy at Birmingham but that needed to be recognised by a change in his contract.

"Now he can continue his work and the progress he has been making since he came here."

Former Scotland boss McLeish had been eager to keep rumours about his contract at bay and wants to move on ahead of tomorrow's Carling Cup clash with MK Dons.

He said: "I look forward to the continued development of the club and the team. I don't want to talk about the details, they are private, but the club have now got better security.

"All parties are happy, that is the main thing."