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Bruce leaves Birmingham for Wigan
Bruce managed Wigan for seven weeks in 2001
Steve Bruce has left Birmingham City and is expected to be confirmed as Wigan boss for the second time, BBC Sport understands.
Birmingham City are set to release a statement on Monday.
"We look like we have a contract agreed but nothing has been signed," said Wigan chairman Dave Whelan.
Wigan could have to pay as much as £3m in compensation to Birmingham and Bruce will reportedly earn £2m a year with the Premier League side.
Interview: Wigan chairman Dave Whelan
"There's a clause and we have to honour that," added Whelan. "We've agreed that with Birmingham. To get a manager of Steve's quality I think is a bargain."
WAFC John
Wigan want Bruce to succeed Chris Hutchings, who was sacked at the start of November after 12 games in charge.
Bruce, who had a brief spell in charge of Wigan in 2001, has been Birmingham manager for nearly six years but he could be out of a job in January if Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung's proposed takeover of City goes through.
The 46-year-old held what were described as "positive talks" with Yeung a fortnight ago after the 3-2 home win against the Latics.
But uncertainty still remains over whether he has a long-term future at City once Yeung's expected takeover takes place, which may force him to look elsewhere.
Whelan is also keen to recruit Eric Black, Bruce's assistant at Birmingham.
"I understand Birmingham want some continuity. He wants to come with Steve because a team always stays together. Whether he will come immediately I don't know," he said.
"It is a mess when you are looking for a new manager. Everything is stirred up. It is never a happy time and the sooner it is over and Steve joins us I will be a very happy man."
Last week, former Wigan boss Paul Jewell told the BBC he had rejected an "unbelievable" offer to return to the club and has since admitted his interest in the vacant Republic of Ireland job.
Jewell left Wigan in the summer, saying he needed a break from football.
His assistant Hutchings stepped up to replace him but was fired with the team languishing at the foot of the table.
They are 19th in the Premier League, with two league wins in 13 games.
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Quote:
Jewell P 5/1
McAllister G 5/1
Coleman C 6/1
Black E 7/1
Jol M 8/1
Souness G 8/1
Hoddle G 14/1
Reid P 16/1
Mcleish A 16/1
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Aidy Boothroyd is 50/1 which is value to me. O Leary at 25. will be interesting to see what happeneds with the new owners and if the Eric Black goes.
good move for Wigan though
imo.
Steve Bruce Moves to Wigan. 
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