Kevin Phillips tells Blues to back boss

Kevin Phillips has urged Birmingham to stand by manager Alex McLeish – even if the club are relegated from the Premier League.

McLeish became the first Blues manager to win a major trophy since 1963 earlier this year when he led the team to Carling Cup success.

But since stunning Arsenal at Wembley, results have suffered and Blues go into their final game of the season on Survival Sunday needing to win at Tottenham to guarantee Premier League safety after picking up just one point from the last 15 available.

Relegated West Ham swiftly parted company with Avram Grant within an hour of their fate being sealed last Saturday.

But Phillips, who is out of contract at the end of the season, believes it is vital McLeish stays – whatever the outcome.

The former Albion and Villa striker said: "He's done a fantastic job. If we do manage to stay in the Premier League, it will be the best season that Birmingham have ever had.

"I think it's highly important we keep him. He's an experienced manager and he managed to get us up to the Premier League.

"If the worse comes to the worse, then there's no better man to be in charge to help us straight back into the Premier League. He knows what kind of players he needs for that to happen.

"The club will make their decision, but we're firmly behind our manager because he's top class."

Phillips also insisted Blues players and their fans must keep calm amid what promises to be a dramatic finale to the season, with five clubs in the mix for survival.

He said: "There's no need to panic. We're not relegated yet. We're not in the bottom three.

"There are some tough games for everyone on Sunday but we, ultimately, believe we can get a result at White Hart Lane.

"If we don't believe that, there's no point getting on the bus and going down there.

"It's going to be tough but it's do-able."